Zahir Al-Umar

Born about 1686; died August 1775, in Acre. Ruler of northwestern Palestine since 1750. Sheikh of the Zaydan tribe. Initially Zahir ruled the region of Safad (Zefat); in 1750 he seized Acre, which became the center of his domain. He protected the development of trade and crafts and the settlement of uninhabited lands. In 1768, after the beginning of the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–74, he concluded an alliance with the ruler of Egypt Ali Bey and revolted against the Turks. In 1772, with the help of a Russian squadron, he won a victory at Sidon. In 1775 he was defeated by the Egyptian Mamelukes and the Turkish Army and Navy and was killed.