186 · Rachel Simon
a branch of the Italian Zionist Association.^41 The number of registered
Libyan Zionists was not high, but their influence on education and cul-
ture was strong. The desire to learn Hebrew and literature increased,
especially among the youth. This activity, which was cultural-social in
essence, did not arouse objections from the Italian authorities or the Mus-
lims, who were not interested in the cultural life of the Jews—just as the
Jews were not interested in Muslim cultural activities.
National awakening among the Muslim population of Libya re-
emerged during the BMA, with the return of political exiles. Arab politi-
cal life was also strengthened by the Arab clerks and technicians, mainly
from Egypt, Palestine, and Syria, who came to Libya during this period
and manned middle ranks in the military and administration (the “Red
Fezes”). Political life, however, was different in the various parts of Libya.
In the east, Idris al-Sanusi, whose base of support was in Cyrenaica, stood
for moderate and conservative policy. In the west, the young nationalist
Tripolitanians were more radical in their politics and wanted to sweep
the masses to their side in any possible way. As a result, the character
of political activity in eastern and western Libya developed differently.
Moreover, the support in Tripolitania was divided among several lead-
ers and groups, often leading to vocal and extreme politics. In Cyrena-
ica, on the other hand, Idris was then the undisputed dominant figure,
advocating moderation. Thus the struggle among the various political
groups in Tripolitania radicalized local ideology and activity. The vari-
ous Muslim political streams wished to get the support of the masses in
their positions in the ideological struggle over the future political char-
acter of Libya. Since the political vigilance of the Muslims of Libya was
dulled under Italian rule, there was a greater importance than usual for
the Tripolitanian nationalists to draw support to their side by taking ad-
vantage of the economic crisis. The Jews, who were known to support
Italy, became a victim in this struggle for political power, because some
of them grew very rich following World War II and the British occupation
and were blamed by some Tripolitanian leaders for the hardship of the
masses. One can say that the November 1945 riots broke to a large extent
on this economic background, to which was added nationalist commen-
tary, anti-Jewish in part. In this early stage, anti-Semitic undertones were
not emphasized by the Muslims. During the 1948 and 1967 disturbances,
the Arab-Israeli conflict in Palestine took center stage. During the early
stages of the Libyan national struggle, the Tripolitanian population was