Interview with MENA2050 CEO, Eli Bar-On. 

Article originally published by The Jewish Chronicle.

Overview of Recent Conflicts and Initiatives in the Middle East

There was the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, the air-launched Israeli missile targeting a Hamas meeting in Doha, and the end of the full-scale campaign in Gaza. Turkey continued its proxy wars in northern Syria and Iran. The UAE backed forces attacking the Presidential Leadership Council in south Yemen, boosting the terrorist Houthis in the north. For many in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), 2025 was yet another year of instability. But many in the region refuse to be defined by war.

MENA 2050 Initiative

MENA 2050, a civil network founded during the pandemic, brings together individuals from across the Middle East and North Africa, including Israelis working alongside counterparts from Qatar, Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Morocco, Egypt, and Gaza. Its aim is long-range: to help create the economic and civilian foundations for peace and prosperity over the course of a generation.

The initiative was started by Eli Bar-On, an Israeli former lawyer, policymaker, and businessman who now works full-time on regional cooperation and peace-building efforts. During a recent visit to London, Bar-On stated that the region faces pressures that do not pause for war, including climate change, water scarcity, uneven economic development, and one of the youngest populations in the world. He believes the region’s long-term challenges demand collaboration beyond the political sphere.

Growth and Focus Areas

What began as a side project quickly became a seven-day-a-week project, leading Bar-On to state, “I live on planes. Sometimes I wake up at night and am not sure where I am.” MENA 2050 focuses on 20 policy areas, including:

• Healthcare

• Climate change

• Food and water security

• Energy transition

• Education

According to Bar-On, the Middle East and North Africa is one of the least integrated regions in the world, leaving countries poorly equipped to address shared risks. He emphasizes that political circumstances change frequently, but the idea that people can work together does not.

Inclusion of Iran and Qatar

Bar-On argues that Iran, despite current tensions, must be included in regional discussions, as it has much to offer and gain from integration. Iranians involved in the MENA network currently live outside the Islamic Republic, where engagement with Israelis or regional initiatives carries enormous risk. He also sees Qatar as a potential partner in regional efforts, stating that despite disagreements, they can recognize the long-term benefits of a stable and prosperous region.

Network Expansion

Launched with around 20 participants, MENA 2050 has grown over five years to more than 300 members spanning almost every country in the region. Participants include scientists, business leaders, and policy experts, some of whom are named while others remain anonymous. The initiative emphasizes its neutrality, focusing on practical cooperation among professionals who expect to share a future.

Impact of Recent Conflicts

Bar-On believes Israel should not be a “start-up nation” alone, but part of a “start-up region.” This idea was tested by the Hamas-led attack in October 2023, which came amid momentum towards normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Bar-On stated, “The attack of October 7 was not only an attack on Israel; it was an attack on this new idea that was gaining ground in the region.” Despite this setback, he notes that the network has continued to grow since the attack.

Future Vision and Historical Context

Bar-On, who has three children in Israel, frames much of his work in terms of the future they will inherit. He expresses a mindset shaped by the region’s volatility and Jewish history, stating, “If you’re not being constructive, you’re being useless.” He emphasizes that the Jewish people have always found ways to tackle challenges, despite feeling lonely. He believes that many friends around the world support Israel’s place in the region and want to work collaboratively.

Bar-On often frames Israel’s place in the region using both geography and ancestry. He argues that Israel should not be viewed as a foreign enclave but as part of the Middle East, highlighting that many Israelis have roots in the Arab and Muslim world. He stresses the importance of mutual recognition, stating that both sides must accept each other to prevent extremists from dictating the region's trajectory.

Economic Integration as a Path to Peace

Bar-On argues that economic integration can bolster peace efforts. He highlights the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, announced at the G20 summit in September 2023, which aims to link India to Europe via Gulf states and Israel. He describes it as a distributed network rather than a single transit route, envisioning it as a tree with many branches.

He also points to diplomatic signals he views as encouraging, such as the New York Declaration, a United Nations initiative reaffirming support for a two-state solution and reconstruction frameworks for Gaza. Bar-On emphasizes that his ideas are not abstract but concrete, and for the participants of MENA 2050, waiting for stability before cooperation has led to decades of stalemate. Their hope is that peace can only come after laying the groundwork for a better future.