The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) has come under scrutiny for its involvement in a controversial project aimed at developing a postwar reconstruction plan for Gaza. This ambitious project, led by Israeli entrepreneurs, includes proposals for a luxury resort dubbed the “Trump Riviera” and a manufacturing zone named after tech mogul Elon Musk. The initiative aligns with former U.S. President Donald Trump's vision for transforming Palestinian territories into a desirable destination.

According to reports from the Financial Times, although the TBI claimed it was not directly involved in crafting the plan, two of its staff members participated in discussions and communication groups as the project evolved. This included participation in a messaging platform where a document titled “Gaza Economic Blueprint” was circulated, suggesting a deeper level of involvement than previously acknowledged.

The outcry over this revelation has been significant, especially considering the sensitive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The TBI, which employs over 900 individuals across more than 45 countries, vehemently denied any authorship of the controversial slide deck that laid out the proposed plan. This deck, reportedly produced by Israeli business figures using financial models from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), has been criticized for suggesting that half a million Palestinians be incentivized to leave their homes.

Details from the slides indicate a scheme labeled the “Great Trust,” intended to lure private investors into Gaza once many residents were paid to vacate the area. The document reportedly included ten high-profile projects, featuring infrastructure named after influential leaders in the region, such as the “MBS Ring” and “MBZ Central” highways, honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed respectively, alongside the “Elon Musk smart manufacturing zone.”

In February, Trump himself had shared an AI-generated video that highlighted these concepts, expressing enthusiasm over the potential for such developments in Gaza. He remarked that it could be an opportunity to create something “phenomenal” in the region, calling it the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

A spokesperson for the TBI reiterated that while their staff engaged in discussions surrounding various proposals for Gaza's future, they did not endorse any suggestions that would displace its residents. They emphasized that the TBI’s mission has always been focused on improving the lives of Palestinians and has never included plans for their relocation. “Of course we’re opposed to any plan which tries to make Gazans leave Gaza. We want them to be able to stay and live in Gaza,” they stated.

The TBI positions itself as a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization that aims to assist governments and leaders in realizing transformative ideas. In a related context, BCG has faced its own controversies concerning its connections with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group backed by Israeli and U.S. interests. Recently, BCG announced the termination of its contract with GHF amid increasing scrutiny over its operations and funding sources, further complicating the landscape of postwar planning for Gaza.

As the situation continues to unfold, the implications of these proposed plans and the involvement of prominent figures like Tony Blair and Donald Trump in Palestinian affairs remain a focal point of debate, drawing attention to the complexities of rebuilding efforts in conflict-affected regions.