Elia Nhaisi was a Tripolitanian photo-journalist and reporter for the Italian Jewish periodicals La Settimane Israelitica and Israel. In 1912, he established the first Zionist organization in Tripoli, Ora ve-Simḥa (Heb. Light and Joy), which was short-lived due to apathy, lack of support, personal rivalries, and fear of Italian government opposition. Rabbi Dario Disegni from Verona, who visited Tripoli in March 1914, supported Nhaisi and suggested that he focus on educational activities in order to promote Zionism. In June 1914, Nhaisi establishe…