Blessed is the True Judge.

Today I lost Raphael Luzon, a dear friend and partner on the MENA2050 journey. I met Raphael several years ago when one of our colleagues in the organization from Libya suggested I speak with him. "Everyone in Libya knows him," I was told. "We need him if we want people in Libya to believe in our vision of regional cooperation." I thought it was an exaggeration, but I reached out to him nonetheless. From that day until now, hardly a day has passed without Raphael and me being in touch.

Raphael was born to a Jewish family in Benghazi, Libya. At 13, he was forced to flee with his family to Italy after several family members were massacred. Despite decades away from his homeland, Raphael remained a Libyan patriot in every fiber of his being, carrying in his heart a deep love for his country and its people. Few knew Libya as he did, with its tribes, landscapes, and complex politics. He believed deeply in the country’s immense potential and in the ability of its people to lead it toward a prosperous and hopeful future, integrated into a network of economic and cultural ties with the nations of the region.

His vision blended naturally and profoundly with ours at MENA2050. He became an active and deeply meaningful partner in the organization and a member of its small, select Board of Directors. I was always struck, and at times moved, by the esteem in which he was held in Libya and by the thousands of followers he had. He was a trusted confidant and advisor to many of the country’s leading figures, and nearly every international diplomat operating in Libya sought his thoughtful counsel. Time and again, he mediated between rival factions, working quietly and resolutely to bring hearts closer and to foster peace. Raphael believed that dialogue and human connection could create real change. He always dreamed of fostering peace between Libya and Israel, striving toward this goal in many ways, and he made it an integral part of his broader vision for strengthening regional ties. He became a leader of the Libyan Jewish community and its most prominent voice, advocating for the preservation of Libyan Jewish heritage and the restoration of their rights.

Raphael was among the finest people I have ever known. He had a great heart, a noble spirit, and boundless generosity. He loved people and was loved in return. His wisdom was evident in every conversation, combining broad strategic vision with deep human understanding. Even in the years when he struggled with illness, he retained a youthful spirit and an unrelenting drive to dream, initiate, and act. Every request brought to him received an immediate response. He was a man of action, initiative, and profound belief in the human capacity to build a better world. He believed in peace and pursued it.

For me, Raphael was far more than a professional partner. He was like an older brother, a close friend, and a true companion on the journey. It is hard to contain the sorrow that has flooded me since receiving the news of his passing. My heart is broken. At times, I find myself expecting a message from him to appear on my phone. He leaves an immense void that cannot be filled. The MENA2050 community mourns deeply, and I feel as though I have lost a part of myself.

I am determined to continue his path by pursuing peace and prosperity in our region in general and in Libya in particular, and to honor his memory through acts of goodness, by building bridges, and by strengthening faith in a shared, better future.

Rest in peace, Raphael. You will forever be in my heart and in the hearts of your thousands of admirers and loved ones. May your memory be a blessing.