Unlock Editor’s Digest Lock for Free
FT editor Roula Khalaf will select your favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.
The Boston Consulting Group has fired two partners for “fraudulent work” related to a controversial US-backed effort to overhaul the distribution of aid in Gaza.
The consultant said Thursday that the pair “didn’t be able to disclose the complete nature of the work during the client’s acceptance process,” and carried out subsequent unauthorized work “in violation of BCG policies and protocols.”
The partner said he had left the company.
BCG’s work to establish aid efforts that became the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation drew it into global controversy.
The UN, a long-time leading provider of aid to Gaza, has called the project “fig leaf” for the movement of Palestinians, using civil contractors and Israeli forces to secure aid supply to distribution centres, which are primarily located south of the Enclave. The executive director resigned last week, saying he did not believe the operation could follow the humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence.
The GHF distribution site is also a concern. Israeli forces have been repeatedly accused of shooting people seeking assistance as hungry Palestinians tried to reach supplies.
BCG said earlier this week that it stopped engagement with the project on May 30th and will not be paid for the work.
American consulting companies have a “client acceptance” process to review new projects, fearing public controversy and ethical risks. BCG said work related to Gaza began in October as a support for aid efforts aimed at running alongside other relief efforts. He said that the subsequent work was “a lack of visible multilateral support.”
Recommended
A statement from BCG on Thursday said it had worked with an outside lawyer to investigate involvement in the project.
“In this situation, I deeply regret not meeting the standards,” it said. “We are committed to taking all the necessary steps to address the issues identified in the ongoing investigation.”
The GHF temporarily halted its assistance efforts this week after the local health ministry said Israeli soldiers were shot dead at least 27 people and injured dozens of people as they were waiting for assistance at Governor Rafa in southern Gaza. The foundation said Thursday that two sites have reopened.
