Founder of Web Summit Apologizes for Controversial Israel Remarks
Paddy Cosgrave, the founder of European tech conference Web Summit, has issued an apology for his comments criticizing the West’s support for Israel. His remarks caused significant backlash and led to several high-profile withdrawals from the event.
Cosgrave originally made the comments on Twitter, accusing Israel of war crimes in response to their actions in Gaza following a surprise attack Hamas on October 7. He stated, “War crimes are war crimes even when committed allies, and should be called out for what they are.”
These comments sparked public outrage, leading tech figures such as Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan and Sequoia Capital investor Ravi Gupta to cancel their appearances at the conference. Many felt that Cosgrave’s remarks were insensitive and lacked condemnation of Hamas’ terrorist activities.
Despite initially doubling down on his comments, Cosgrave later issued a lengthy apology on Web Summit’s website, expressing deep regret for any hurt caused his words. He also clarified that he was urging Israel to abide international law, echoing sentiments expressed US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
However, for some founders, Cosgrave’s apology is not enough to change their decision to withdraw from the event. Moshiel Biton, CEO and cofounder of rechargeable battery firm Addionics, stated that the apology was inadequate and stood the decision to withdraw.
The fallout from Cosgrave’s remarks highlights how organizations, particularly large international gatherings like Web Summit, can be affected controversial geopolitical debates. The conference experienced an increased number of dropouts, particularly from Israel-based speakers.
Web Summit quietly removed these speakers from the lineup on their website, leading to a significant decrease in the number of Israeli participants. However, a spokesperson for Web Summit emphasized that Cosgrave understands the impact of his words and that the event will still deliver a world-class experience for attendees.
Web Summit is set to feature other notable speakers such as Meta’s Nick Clegg, comedian Amy Poehler, and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The conference is expected to attract around 70,000 attendees.
The controversy comes amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, with Israel declaring war and launching a counter-attack in response to the October 7 attack. The conflict has resulted in numerous civilian casualties, with the death toll surpassing 2,300 in Gaza and the West Bank.
Despite the apology, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact Web Summit’s reputation and future participation from tech industry leaders.