The mountain-dwellers of north africa, who served as the "middle man" of trade for the great trans-saharan commerce, were the

The Toureg
They are part of the entire Berber ethnic group,an Asiatic group which dwells in the mountainous regions of the Sahara,leaving as nomadic pastoralists. they served as middlemen,guides in the Tran-saharan trade. They also helped water the camels and provide food to the traders.

Do you mean israel ?