2024-04-09 16:41:50
Paddy Cosgrave announced this Monday his return to leadership of the Web Summit, almost six months after resigning. At issue was the fact that several companies canceled their participation in the event following their statements about Israel.
“Today I return as CEO [presidente executivo] of Web Summit”, said the co-founder of Web Summit, in a message published on social media, noting that when he resigned in the past “it was the first time” he had taken time off in 15 years.
“It gave me time to think about the Web Summit, its history, why I started it alone in my room and what I wanted it to be,” said Paddy Cosgrave.
On October 21, Paddy Cosgrave resigned from his position after several companies canceled their participation in the event in Lisbon, following statements he made about Israel and, nine days later, it was announced that former director of the Wikimedia Foundation Katherine Maher would be the new executive president.
“I took the opportunity to reconnect with old friends from the Web Summit and hear what they had to say and what they wanted” from the technology summit, he continues.
“Some incredible technological advances, relationships, partnerships and companies have grown from our events and I want to continue to develop this”, he added, highlighting that he intends to further accelerate “this mission” of building “even stronger” communities within the Web Summit”.
Paddy Cosgrave leaves Web Summit leadership after Israel controversy
“Excited about the future”
Paddy Cosgrave highlighted that he is “incredibly excited about the future with so much more to share”.
On October 21, when he resigned as CEO, Cosgrave apologized for his comments about Israel on the social network X (formerly Twitter), on October 13, a publication that gave rise to several criticisms.
“I am impressed by the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders and governments, with the particular exception of the Government of Ireland, [que] for once they are doing the right thing. War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies and must be denounced for what they are”, said Paddy Cosgrave at the time in reference to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
WebSummit. Controversy with Paddy was “the best publicity”
After the wave of criticism, Paddy Cosgrave apologized, which did not prevent several companies from canceling their participation in the Web Summit.
According to the latest data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, 33,175 people were killed in the war that began six months ago, after Hamas attacked Israeli territory on October 7, killing around 1,200 people.
2024-04-09 16:41:50