Paddy Cosgrave, the CEO of Web Summit , resigned on Saturday due to the controversy surrounding his comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict. His remarks on social media had caused several major tech companies to withdraw from Web Summit’s annual technology conference. In his statement to CNN, Cosgrave said, “Unfortunately, my personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our start-ups, and the people who attend. I sincerely apologize again for any hurt I have caused.”
Cosgrave’s resignation came shortly after he posted comments on X (formerly Twitter) condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, stating, “War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies and should be called out for what they are.” He also denounced the attacks by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in casualties in Israel. Subsequently, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes in Gaza, leading to a significant loss of life and a humanitarian crisis in the region.
In response to the backlash, Cosgrave published a nearly 600-word statement on Web Summit’s blog, apologizing and clarifying his position. He condemned Hamas’ actions, called for the unconditional release of hostages, supported Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, and advocated for a two-state solution. He also emphasized the importance of adhering to international law and the Geneva Conventions. CEO of Web Summit
Cosgrave’s initial comments had led to tech giants such as Google’s parent company Alphabet, Meta, Siemens, and Amazon pulling out of the conference, which was scheduled for November 13-16 in Lisbon. CNN has sought responses from these companies but has not received a reply.