The controversy surrounding Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrove’s recent posts on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the Israel-Palestine crisis continues to escalate, despite his public apology. This has resulted in several major global tech brands, including Google, Meta, Stripe, Intel, and Siemens, deciding not to attend this year’s European tech conference in Lisbon, Portugal, scheduled for November 13 through 16, according to The Irish Times.
Web Summit, which started as a small meetup of tech enthusiasts in Dublin, Ireland, has grown into Europe’s largest tech conference. It attracts startups and multinational companies for networking and talks. However, the recent controversy surrounding Cosgrove’s posts has led to a significant setback for the event.
Controversial Posts and Fallout
Cosgrove, an Irish entrepreneur, posted on X on October 13 expressing his views on the Israel-Palestine crisis. He stated, “I’m shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders & governments, with the exception in particular of Ireland’s government, who for once are doing the right thing. War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are.”
Many interpreted his comments as a reference to Israel’s response to the surprise dawn attacks by Hamas terrorists on Israeli civilians on October 7. These attacks resulted in mass deaths and kidnappings. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and initiated military action, including aerial strikes and a potential ground invasion. The ongoing conflict has led to a significant loss of life on both sides.
The tech community reacted swiftly to Cosgrove’s comments, with several prominent leaders, such as Garry Tan, president and CEO of Y combinator, and Ori Goshen, co-founder of AI21 Labs, cancelling their scheduled attendance at Web Summit in protest.
Apology and Continuing Impact
“I understand that what I said, the timing of what I said, and the way it has been presented has caused profound hurt to many. To anyone who was hurt by my words, I apologize deeply. What is needed at this time is compassion, and I did not convey that.” – Paddy Cosgrove
In an attempt to address the backlash, Cosgrove published a written apology on the Web Summit website on October 17. While he acknowledged the hurt caused by his words, he stood by his belief that “Israel should adhere to international law and the Geneva Conventions – i.e., not commit war crimes.” He emphasized the importance of all countries abiding by these laws, even in times of conflict.
Unfortunately, Cosgrove’s apology was not sufficient to prevent major tech brands from withdrawing their participation in Web Summit 2023. Google, a leading sponsor of the event, was among the companies that decided not to attend. The impact of these cancellations on the future of the conference remains uncertain, especially as Web Summit plans to host a new forum in Qatar next year.
