Tech Summit chief quits after backlash against Israel ‘war crimes’ remarks

Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave has stepped down from his position at the helm of the major tech conference company after comments he made criticising Israel’s actions following the Hamas terror attacks, sparked a huge backlash.

Several tech companies and high-profile attendees including Meta, Google and Intel had pulled out of the event after Cosgrave condemned Israel’s retaliatory action in Gaza. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Cosgrave wrote:

“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.”

On Tuesday the Irish entrepreneur issued an apology on the Web Summit blog but today (Saturday), after a week of controversy and withdrawals, he said he was resigning as chief executive with “immediate effect”. He said personal comments had “become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend. I sincerely apologise again for any hurt I have caused”.

A Web Summit spokesperson said the event would go ahead as planned in Lisbon, November 13 -16 and will appoint a new CEO as soon as possible.