Alexander Zaid lived in Shick Abrek in the Izrael Valley, he was a watchman for the areas owned by the Jewish settlers in the valley. He had many encounters with Arab robbers and outlaws, nevertheless he was known for trying to make peace between the Jews and the Arabs living in the valley. Zaid was an Archeological fan and used to dig and searh for remains near his house and work places. In 1936 he found an opening in one of the caves and called experts from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. They came and this led to the discovery of the burial caves in Beit Shearim archeological site.
Alexander Zaid was attacked by Arabs before but always managed to survive with no harm. On the third attack during the big Arab rebellion on July 11th, 1938, he rode home and was ambushed and murdered by a Bedouin from a nearby tribe. Only in 1942, Palmach people found the murderer and he was trialed and sentenced to death.