The Bedouin tribes of south and central Sinai pledged their allegiance to the State of Israel today in colorful ceremonies attended by 200 Israeli guests. But more was. involved than expressions of friendship and loyalty. Sheikh Abu Abdullah, head of the largest of the 16 nomad tribes, asked the Israeli representatives for greater employment opportunities and increased government health services for his people.
The ceremony, known as “Hafleh”- Gathering – took place in the Wadi Firan, near the Santa Catherina Monastery at the foot of the traditional Mt. Sinai of the Exodus, attended by 800 Bedouin leaders and their retinues, representing some 10,000 tribesmen. They treated their Israeli guests to a supper of mutton and rice, topped off by Bedouin tea and Arab coffee. They were entertained in turn by the first films they ever saw – the movie, “Sword of Ali Baba’ and two Israeli documentaries in Arabic.
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