In the time of Alexander the Ishmaelites claimed Palestine from the Israelites. Gaboha son of Pesisa asked permission from the Elders to plead the cause of the Jews. "If defeated you can say, that they had defeated the least among us, and if I win you say it is our Law that has won." He proved to them from the Law that Abraham had given gifts to the concubines and sent them away, thus the Ishmaelites had no claim.