Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave steps down in wake of controversy over his Israel comments::Paddy Cosgrave said his “personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend.”
Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave steps down in wake of controversy over his Israel comments::Paddy Cosgrave said his “personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend.”
This is the best summary I could come up with:
His decision comes after a slew of major companies and tech leaders pulled out of the conference following his comments on Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist attacks.
"Unfortunately, my personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend.
He subsequently issued an apology for the “timing” of his comments, on October 17, saying he understood they had caused “profound hurt” and that he “unequivocally” supported “Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself.”
However, Cosgrave also alluded to his prior remarks, saying “Israel should adhere to international law and the Geneva Conventions – ie, not commit war crimes.”
Cosgrave’s comments sparked an uproar among tech leaders, many of whom canceled their appearances at next month’s conference.
Major companies including Intel and Siemens — two of the major sponsors — also announced they were pulling out this week.The conference — one of Europe’s biggest tech events — is to take place November 13 to 16 in Lisbon, with 70,000 delegates, a Web Summit spokesperson previously told Insider.
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