CEO who criticized Israel lost his job

Paddy Cosgrave, CEO of Web Summit, the world’s largest technology summit, was forced to resign after participants including Facebook and Google withdrew from the summit following his remarks about Israel.

“I am shocked by the rhetoric and actions of many Western leaders and governments, with the exception of the Irish government, which for once has done the right thing,” Cosgrave said on social media last week in response to the Israeli attacks on Gaza. . “Even if allies commit war crimes, they are war crimes and must be revealed for what they are,” she posted.

However, Cosgrave’s statements provoked reaction from several investors and technology founders. Although Cosgrave later apologized, many investors and companies announced that they would not attend the summit.

In addition to Google and Alphabet-owned Meta, many companies such as Amazon, Intel and Siemens announced that they canceled their plans to come to the show. According to the Israeli news site Calcalist, a group of Israeli investors also issued a joint statement and called for a boycott of the event.

THE APOLOGY DID NOT WORK

Following threats about the event, which will host 70,000 people, Cosgrave issued a message of apology. “Hamas’ actions are evil, repugnant and monstrous,” Cosgrave said in his nearly 600-word apology. Cosgrave claimed that he asked Israel “not to exceed the limits of international law in response to Hamas oppression,” but his words were misinterpreted.

Despite the posted apology message, it was announced that Cosgrave resigned when the companies announced they would continue the boycott. Web Summit will appoint a new CEO as soon as possible and the fair, which begins in Lisbon on November 13, will continue as planned, organizers said in an emailed statement yesterday.

Cosgrave said in his statement on the matter: “Unfortunately, my personal comments caused us to distance ourselves from the event, our team, sponsors, initiatives and the people who attended. “Once again, I sincerely apologize for any harm I have caused,” he said.