The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has been the focal point of protests and criticism led by the Dallas Chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement (Dallas PYM).
These protests come in the wake of BCG’s involvement in the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has faced international backlash for its plans to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip amidst worsening humanitarian conditions.
In recent developments, Gaza has been grappling with what the United Nations has termed “worst-case” famine conditions.
This crisis escalated following the October 7, 2023, attack launched by Hamas against Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, with an additional 251 individuals abducted.
The ongoing conflict has led to a staggering death toll of more than 60,000 Palestinians since the outbreak of war along the West Bank, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Despite Israel’s temporary pause in fighting to facilitate the entry of food and aid into Gaza, the U.N. has warned that such measures will not suffice to address the severe famine-like conditions plaguing the region.
On July 29, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that two out of three famine thresholds had been reached in Gaza.
This includes plummeting food consumption, acute malnutrition, and the rise of diseases among the population.
According to the U.N., one in three residents in Gaza now goes without food for several days at a time.
Although some aid has been allowed into the Gaza Strip, the U.N. highlights that military restrictions have severely hampered efforts to deliver adequate relief.
Much of the additional aid intended for Gaza during a six-week ceasefire earlier this year remains inaccessible due to logistical challenges and safety concerns.
Tragically, Palestinians reportedly faced violent repercussions while attempting to collect aid, with Israeli airstrikes leading to over 1,000 deaths of those seeking food since May.
Understanding BCG’s involvement in these critical humanitarian issues is essential to grasp the context of the protests.
Founded in 1963, BCG is an American consulting firm recognized as one of the leading consulting firms globally, alongside McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company.
BCG’s role in establishing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, created in May with the backing of the U.S. and Israel, is a source of contention.
The GHF aims to provide humanitarian aid, including food, to Gaza; however, it has drawn criticism for its selective approach, intending to distribute aid only in southern and central Gaza.
Critics argue this restriction could effectively force Palestinians to relocate further south to access aid, which they view as a precursor to forced displacement enabled by BCG.
Many contend that BCG’s actions are intertwined with political agendas rather than genuine humanitarian efforts.
As part of their operational strategy, BCG has reportedly crafted financial plans with GHF concerning Gaza’s future, including a “relocation package” offering $9,000 per individual, comprising $5,000, four years of subsidized rent, and a year of food assistance.
On July 6, BCG issued a statement asserting that its role in these post-war plans had been misrepresented by the media.
The firm clarified that two former partners acted without BCG’s approval, against explicit instructions to refrain from involvement in such matters.
“We fully disavow this work. BCG was not paid for any of this work,” their statement emphasized.
In response to BCG’s involvement in GHF, Dallas PYM has actively protested outside BCG’s offices in Dallas for over two weeks.
The group has expressed its demands for BCG to assist in dismantling the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation while advocating for all aid directed to Gaza to be unconditional and demilitarized.
Additionally, they are urging BCG to publicly disavow notions of genocide, which has been a term used by critics of Israel to describe the situation in Gaza.
On July 25, the protests culminated in a sit-in that resulted in the arrest of twelve demonstrators by Dallas police.
Continuing their activism, the group returned to BCG’s offices on Thursday to conduct a noise demonstration, utilizing pots and pans to amplify their demands.
Stacey Monroe, a spokesperson for Dallas PYM, acknowledged the recent entry of aid into Gaza due to mounting international pressure but emphasized their commitment to continue the protests until sufficient resources alleviate the stark famine-like conditions.
“We will always be strategic,” Monroe stated, “That is a win for us, but we want more. We want them to get that month and year’s worth of aid into Gaza… Everyone should have aid, not just a percent.”
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