BCG roiled by internal backlash over Gaza aid work on Financial Times

Boston Consulting Group’s leaders have been confronted with an outpouring of anger and disappointment within their Middle Eastern business after revelations that the firm helped set up an Israeli-backed aid scheme for Gaza and staff modelled plans to relocate Palestinians from the enclave.

One of BCG’s most powerful rainmakers told colleagues he was “ashamed” of what had been revealed, according to a group message seen by the Financial Times, while remarks by chief executive Christoph Schweizer at a meeting in Dubai caused a number of employees to walk out.

… Schweizer began the meeting by saying that he would not comment on the conflict in Gaza or the politics of the region. BCG, in common with other firms, has sought to maintain an apolitical stance and Schweizer told the audience he would make no statements to compromise that position.

When one questioner described Israel’s government as a genocidal regime, Schweizer said that genocide was a “big word”, according to people familiar with the exchanges.

This off-the-cuff remark angered some members of the audience in Dubai, prompting a group to leave the room, according to people familiar with the event.