Haim Farhi continued his services; his popularity suffered no diminution, and it was evidently he who provided Acre with the necessary supplies, kept communications open with the hinterland, and made it possible to offer the stoutest resistance ever recorded in history. Great Britain helped, the Turks and Arabs were brave, and Jazzár with all his savage caprices possessed, no doubt, remarkable abilities as a general; but the soul of the entire organization was Haim. Winning him over would have meant breaking down the defence; but it was impossible to win him over. Under such conditions Bonaparte approached _Jerusalem_. He had reached _Ramleh_ (between _Jaffa_ and _Jerusalem_) and intended to besiege the Holy City, but he changed his mind and turned to Acre. Meanwhile rumours spread that the Jews were helping the French as spies, and that they sympathized in their hearts with Bonaparte. This is the familiar story which hatred and calumny set on foot whenever people are excited, and there is any opportunity of stirring up thoughtless credulity and brutal instincts against a weak and defenceless minority. Bonaparte captured _Gaza_ on the 25th December, 1799. The Jews of that place had to endure brutal treatment at the hands of Bonaparte’s soldiers, so that many seized the opportunity of escaping. The Jews of _Jerusalem_ were, meanwhile, in the greatest danger of being massacred by the Mohammedan inhabitants, who accused them of being in secret communication with Bonaparte with a view to the surrender of the city. The Mohammedans actually believed that all the Jews of _Jerusalem_ were spies and traitors, and they secretly resolved among themselves to kill all the Jewish inhabitants as soon as Napoleon marched on _Jerusalem_. This resolution, however, got abroad and was communicated by a Mohammedan, a confidant and friend of the Jews, to two _Rabbis_ named Algazi and Meyuchas, who saved Palestinian Jewry, and particularly the _Jerusalem_ Jews, by their presence of mind and wise precautions, such as arranging public prayers, helping to fortify the city, _etc._ The sight of the venerable, grey-headed _Haham_ Meyuchas standing with a spade in his hand did not fail to impress the Mohammedans. The Jewish community was thus saved; still at _Tiberias_ and _Safed_ the Jews were savagely treated by Bonaparte’s soldiers.