“We wish to reiterate our devastation at the loss of innocent lives in Israel and Gaza. We strongly condemn Hamas’s heinous attacks on Israelis.” This is Web Summit’s official response to the storm that arose after Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO of the conference that has brought together the world of technology in Lisbon since 2016, declared that ‘war crimes are war crimes, even if committed by allies ‘. , and must be exposed for what they are.”
Cosgrave’s opinion on Israel’s announced military offensive on Gaza was published last Friday on the social network X (formerly Twitter), and several voices of protest quickly emerged within the international technological community. There were even people calling for the event to be canceled. In Portugal, the Israeli ambassador announced that his country will not participate in the event, which will take place from November 13.
Dor Shapira called Paddy Cosgrave’s claims “outrageous”. “Even in these difficult times, he is unable to put aside his extremist political views and denounce Hamas’ terrorist activities against innocent people,” wrote Israel’s representative in Portugal, also on Elon Musk’s social network. Shapira also added that “dozens of companies have already canceled their participation in this conference, and we encourage others to do so as well. We must have zero tolerance towards terrorist acts and terrorist acts!”
Last Friday, Cosgrave said he was still “shocked by the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders and governments.” The exception is “the government of Ireland, which is doing the right thing for the first time,” he wrote.
The Web Summit regrets that the Israeli ambassador will not be present at the Web Summit, the organization said in a note to DN/Dinheiro Vivo. “We regret any damage caused and express our deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones. We hope for a peaceful reconciliation,” it said.
All indications are that Paddy Cosgrave’s views will have consequences on several levels. On Platform Gil Dibner, a venture investor focused on European and Israeli technology companies, announced he will no longer participate in the conference. “In light of these comments that demonstrate a complete lack of moral clarity, I have no choice but to cancel my participation. I know I join several other people in making this decision,” he wrote. “Think about it carefully,” was the suggestion from American businessman Jason Calacanis to Cosgrave.
When contacted by DN/Dinheiro Vivo about this controversy surrounding the major event that takes place every year in the Portuguese capital, the Lisbon City Council did not comment. Web Summit stressed in a statement that its mission is “to connect people and ideas from around the world that change the world. The more voices we have around the world, the more we can help change the world for the better change.”
This isn’t the first time the Web Summit has caused controversy. In 2018, the leader of the far right in France, Marine Le Pen, was on the speakers list. This controversial participation was ultimately cancelled.
Sónia Santos Pereira is a journalist for Dinheiro Vivo
Source: DN
