this post was submitted on 22 Oct 2023
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Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave steps down in wake of controversy over his Israel comments::Paddy Cosgrave said his "personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend."

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[–] stifle867@programming.dev 173 points 1 year ago (4 children)

For context what he said was:

war crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are

Apparently condemning war crimes is enough to lose your job these days.

[–] hark@lemmy.world 53 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How dare he point out that Israel is carrying out war crimes.

[–] WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

I, for one, do not want to live in the kind of dystopian wasteland where we allow our allies to be called out for their war crimes...

[–] onlinepersona@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago

Even though he's right, this is why you should have an anonymous account. Just focus on your business with your real account and stay out of trouble.

[–] atk007@lemmy.world 107 points 1 year ago (2 children)

When people say 'cancel culture', they are generally talking out of their ass, but this is what I say is the cancel culture, that someone saying 'war crimes are war crimes, even when allies did them' is somehow so abhorrent that they are sacked. Think about it, war crimes are acceptable but pointing them out is not.

[–] JasSmith@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Let’s see if people like Cosgrove reevaluate their position on cancel culture now that it is affecting them. I’m not holding my breath.

[–] gmtom@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago

This is honestly the kind of shit that starts conspiracy theories as it makes you wonder why these companies care so much about a mostly harmless comment. Is it just a general pressure among the elite to always side with Israel? Is their actually a secret Jewish cabal controlling the world? ( there isn't) or is it something else, like for example the CEO of Intel Pat Geslinger being a hyper religious Christian who has spent a lot of money and time creating the group "Transforming the Bay with Christ" which has a bunch of other business leaders, wealthy individuals and no profit leaders who's goal is to convert a million people over to their version of Christianity. And who are most likely Christian zionist who thing the Jews returning to Israel is prerequisite of the second coming of Christ.

[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 12 points 1 year ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:


His decision comes after a slew of major companies and tech leaders pulled out of the conference following his comments on Israel's response to the Hamas terrorist attacks.

"Unfortunately, my personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend.

He subsequently issued an apology for the "timing" of his comments, on October 17, saying he understood they had caused "profound hurt" and that he "unequivocally" supported "Israel's right to exist and to defend itself."

However, Cosgrave also alluded to his prior remarks, saying "Israel should adhere to international law and the Geneva Conventions – ie, not commit war crimes."

Cosgrave's comments sparked an uproar among tech leaders, many of whom canceled their appearances at next month's conference.

Major companies including Intel and Siemens — two of the major sponsors — also announced they were pulling out this week.The conference — one of Europe's biggest tech events — is to take place November 13 to 16 in Lisbon, with 70,000 delegates, a Web Summit spokesperson previously told Insider.


The original article contains 267 words, the summary contains 179 words. Saved 33%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

[–] Cfords@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

Stepped down ? For real ?

[–] Squizzy@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Very disappointed in Stripe, to back away in line with everyone else. They didn't have to take a stand but they didn't have to take the soup either, they should know better given the history of Ireland.