25 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026

OBITUARY – NAPHTALI REGEV

A life in service to others and an unbreakable bond with Mauritius

Naphtali “Tali” Regev, who served the State of Mauritius as Honorary Consul in Israel since his appointment in 1996, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of a life dedicated to service and a deep attachment to a country that held a unique place in his history.

Born on July 5, 1944, at Beau-Bassin Central Prison, Tali was the son of Regina and Aaron Zwergbaum, two Jewish refugees who had fled Eastern Europe from Nazi persecution and the threat of extermination. His parents were among the 1,580 Jewish refugees who arrived on the shores of British Mandated Palestine in 1942, before being deported by British authorities to Mauritius, where they were interned.

Tali was born during their detention at Beau-Bassin Prison. At the end of World War II, in 1945, the surviving prisoners were finally allowed to return to British Mandated Palestine. However, the years spent in Mauritius left an indelible mark on Tali and shaped his lifelong attachment to the island. This connection was also reflected in his relationship with the Jewish cemetery in Saint-Martin, where 125 of his fellow sufferers and compatriots are buried.

Tali had made it a personal tradition on each of his visits to Mauritius to go to the cemetery to pay his respects, thus preserving the memory of those whose lives were linked to the island during one of the darkest periods of the 20th century. His commitment to preserving this history was also evident on November 4, 2014, when he participated in the inauguration of the Beau-Bassin Jewish Detainees Information and Memorial Centre. His presence at this ceremony was a moving reminder of his personal connection to his birthplace and to the history of the Jewish detainees interned in Mauritius.

During more than three decades of service as Honorary Consul of Mauritius to Israel, Tali Regev became a respected figure between the two countries. Behind this public life dedicated to service was also a personal ordeal. Tali recently lost his grandson, a tragedy that has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on him and his family.

He will be remembered not only for his diplomatic work, but also for his deep attachment to Mauritius and his unwavering loyalty to the country that held such an important place in his family’s history. His passing brings back memories for a generation that experienced war, displacement, and internment.

Our sincere condolences go out to Gila, as well as to his family and loved ones.