Paddy Cosgrave, the CEO of the European tech conference Web Summit, has stepped down from his position following criticism of his public statements suggesting Israel was committing war crimes. Web Summit, known for organizing one of the world’s largest tech conferences, will appoint a new CEO and proceed with the conference as planned next month in Lisbon.
In a statement, Cosgrave, an Irish entrepreneur and the founder of Web Summit, acknowledged that his personal comments had become a distraction from the event and apologized for any hurt he may have caused. His resignation reflects the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on workplaces, with corporate leaders voicing their opinions even as employees feel their own voices are ignored.
The response from the corporate world to the conflict has been divisive, with Islamic rights advocates criticizing the perceived minimalization of Gaza’s suffering and workers fearing repercussions for expressing Palestinian support. On the other hand, Jewish groups have criticized slow reactions to Hamas attacks and tepid responses. In the case of Web Summit, several industry giants, including Intel, Meta, and Google, withdrew from the conference despite Cosgrave’s denouncement of Hamas attacks and subsequent apologies.
Cosgrave’s controversial comments were made on his X account (formerly known as Twitter) and mentioned being shocked by the rhetoric and actions of Western leaders, excluding Ireland’s government. He called out war crimes committed by Israel while acknowledging that Hamas’ actions were outrageous. He later posted an apology on the Web Summit blog, emphasizing the need for compassion and stating that Israel, like any other country, should adhere to international law and the Geneva Conventions.
As a result of the controversy, Cosgrave announced a break from social media, saying, “Bye for now. Need some time off this platform.”
Overall, this incident highlights the increasingly contentious nature of discussing geopolitical conflicts, and the potential impact on individuals and organizations.
