Harun Nasrullah
The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) was involved in developing a post-war vision for Gaza that included a “Trump Riviera” concept inspired by Dubai, alongside proposals for a manufacturing zone named after Elon Musk.
Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has been engulfed in ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. Earlier this year, former US President Donald Trump released a controversial video presenting his vision to transform Gaza into a “Middle East Riviera,” featuring skyscrapers, entertainers, and golden statues of himself.
Staff at the TBI contributed to a project called the “Great Trust,” which also involved former Boston Consulting Group (BCG) employees. A document prepared by a TBI employee outlined plans for a “Gaza Riviera” with artificial islands, closely mirroring ideas shown in Trump’s video. According to the Financial Times, the document suggested trade initiatives based on cryptocurrency and special economic zones with low tax rates.
The plan described the conflict as a “once-in-a-century opportunity” to rebuild Gaza “from first principles” into a “secure, modern, prosperous society.” TBI personnel also participated in messaging discussions and helped draft a “Gaza economic blueprint.” However, the institute did not author or officially endorse the final proposal, which controversially included offering financial incentives to Palestinians to leave Gaza.
A TBI spokesperson confirmed that Sir Tony Blair had no involvement in or knowledge of the plans. “The TBI team engages with many groups on post-war Gaza concepts but was not involved in authoring this plan,” the spokesperson said. They added that participation in discussions does not imply endorsement, clarifying the document was an internal review of various proposals, separate from BCG’s work.
Earlier this month, it emerged that BCG had modelled the cost of relocating Palestinians from Gaza, sparking criticism due to the group’s involvement in founding the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is backed by Israel and the US. BCG later distanced itself from the project, stating, “This was not a BCG project. It was conducted secretly and outside of BCG’s approval. We fully disavow this work and were not paid for it.”
The “Trump Riviera” plan has provoked widespread condemnation, with human rights bodies and governments denouncing it as a forced displacement and ethnic cleansing proposal.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned, “Any form of forced displacement must be avoided. The rights and dignity of the Palestinian people must be upheld.” UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk stressed that “forcible transfer from occupied territories is strictly prohibited under international law,” while UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese condemned the proposal as “unlawful, immoral, and a reckless incitement to forced displacement — a serious international crime.”
Amnesty International labelled it “a flagrant violation of international law that dehumanizes Palestinians and amounts to forced expulsion,” and Human Rights Watch called it “a moral abomination that disregards the fundamental rights of Gaza’s residents.” Governments across the globe—including France, the UK, Australia, China, and Russia—have condemned the plan, reaffirming support for a two-state solution. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan also firmly rejected the proposal, emphasizing the need to protect Palestinian rights and ensure Gaza’s reconstruction without displacement.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared, “We will not allow the rights of our people to be violated, or their homes taken away.” Activists such as Palestinian American Laila El-Haddad described the vision as “a callous disregard for Palestinian lives and dignity.” Even some Jewish organisations criticised the plan as ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
Photo: Tony Blair — his organisation, the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), has faced backlash for its involvement in drafting a post-war plan for Gaza that controversially included a “Trump Riviera” project inspired by Dubai, and a proposed manufacturing zone named after Elon Musk. (Credit: Stringer/Anadolu Agency)
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