Google and Meta announce their non-participation in response to remarks by Web Summit representative who criticized Israel, saying, ``War crimes are war crimes even if they are allies.''


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Web Summit

In response to CEO Paddy Cosgrave's response to Web Summit, an international technology conference that mentioned the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Google and Meta announced their withdrawal from the conference.

Google and Meta pull out of Web Summit over Cosgrave's Israel-Hamas comments – The Irish Times
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/10/20/google-pulls-out-of-web-summit-over-cosgraves-israel-hamas-comments/



On October 13, 2023, CEO Cosgrave said, ``We are shocked by the rhetoric and actions of many Western leaders and governments. It should be severely criticized,' he said in X.

While condemning Israel, CEO Cosgrave also mentioned Hamas, saying, ``Hamas' actions are outrageous.'' ``We condemn this evil and disgusting attack without reservation.'' 'As a parent, my deepest sympathies go to the families of the victims of this abhorrent act, and I mourn for all the innocent lives lost in this and other wars.'

However, the initial post criticizing Israel caused controversy, and multiple individuals and organizations announced that they would not be participating in the Web Summit, which is headed by CEO Cosgrave.

After a representative of an international conference said that ``Israel is a war crime'', Israel boycotted and influential people announced boycott one after another - GIGAZINE



Intel, Siemens, and actor Gillian Anderson have already announced their non-participation, but Google and Meta have also announced their non-participation. It became the first technology company to withdraw from the conference.

CEO Cosgrave's comments have been criticized mainly by people on the Israeli side, and Doru Shapira, the Israeli ambassador to Portugal, where the Web Summit will be held, has also announced that he will not be participating.

In response to the uproar, CEO Cosgrave apologized and resigned as head of Web Summit, saying, ``What I said, the timing of what I said, and the way I announced it caused deep hurt to many people.'' . However, he did not back down from his assertion that ``war crimes are war crimes.'' We believe that Israel must abide by international law and the Geneva Conventions to protect itself.'




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