The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) has clarified its limited involvement in a controversial postwar reconstruction proposal for Gaza, which included outlandish plans for a “Trump Riviera” and an Elon Musk-named manufacturing zone. Although the Institute confirmed that two staff members participated in calls and message groups related to the initiative, it firmly denied any authorship or formal involvement. The proposal, reportedly developed by Israeli business figures using financial models from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), aimed to reshape Gaza in line with Donald Trump’s vision, attracting investment through large-scale infrastructure projects and population relocation incentives.
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The Financial Times reported that a document titled “Gaza Economic Blueprint” was shared among participants, including TBI staff, Israeli businesspeople, and BCG consultants. The slide deck in question proposed paying up to half a million Palestinians to leave Gaza and featured ambitious projects such as the “MBS Ring”, “MBZ Central”, and a so-called “Elon Musk smart manufacturing zone”. The Institute strongly refuted any claims of joint authorship, stating the slide deck was strictly a BCG production and not a reflection of TBI’s values or policy proposals.
In a public statement, a TBI spokesperson emphasised that “Tony Blair himself has neither spoken to the people who prepared this deck nor commented on it”. The Institute stated its engagement was limited to understanding a wide range of postwar plans being discussed across sectors, stressing that participation in discussions does not imply endorsement. “Of course we’re opposed to any plan which tries to make Gazans leave Gaza,” the spokesperson added. “We want them to be able to stay and live in Gaza.” The internal TBI document referenced in the reporting was described as one of many reviewing various external proposals.
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BCG, meanwhile, has sought to distance itself from the affair, reportedly severing ties with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and dismissing two partners over the issue. The consulting firm has come under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in financial modelling for Gaza’s reconstruction. The broader controversy has raised significant questions about foreign influence in post-conflict planning and the ethical implications of proposals involving mass relocation. As the situation evolves, both BCG and the Tony Blair Institute face calls for greater transparency and accountability regarding their roles in shaping the future of Gaza.
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