Web Summit CEO resigns over Israel comments

Paddy Cosgrave resigned Saturday as chief executive of Web Summit, one of the largest tech conferences in Europe, after facing a wave of backlash to comments he made criticizing Israel and its response to the deadly attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

“Unfortunately, my personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our start-ups and the people who attend,” Cosgrove said in a widely reported statement Saturday. 

“I sincerely apologize again for any hurt I have caused,” he added.

Cosgrave, who founded Web Summit, announced his resignation after many high-powered executives and tech companies pulled out of the conference, which is scheduled for Nov. 13-16 in Lisbon.

The backlash focused largely on Cosgrave’s sharp criticism of Israel and his post on social media that condemned “war crimes” from allies.

“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,” he wrote Oct. 13.

Two days later, Cosgrave followed up the post with a condemnation of Hamas and a statement defending Israel’s right to defend itself, while also reiterating the importance of not “break[ing] international law.”

A subsequent apology then struck a similar tone after backlash continued to mount and public companies were pulling support and its speakers out of the conference, which last year attracted more than 70,000 attendees.

“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 apologise deeply. What is needed at this time is compassion, and I did not convey that. My aim is and always has been to strive for peace. Ultimately, I hope with all my heart that this can be achieved,” Cosgrave wrote Saturday on the Web Summit website.

The series of events comes as many public institutions face criticism for their initial statements about Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel’s response since, which has killed thousands.