Posted on 10/20/2023 2:58:37 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A spokesman for Meta confirmed to AFP that it would not take part in this year's event, with Google telling the Irish Independent that it too would not be making the trip to Lisbon.
We're now on WhatsApp. Click to join. Irish entrepreneur Paddy Cosgrave, co-founder of the Web Summit, wrote on social media platform X last week that he was "shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders & governments."
"War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are," Cosgrave wrote on October 13.
Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials.
Israel says around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control of the area under attack.
More than 3,700 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in relentless Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the attacks by the Palestinian Islamist militant group, according to the latest toll from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza.
The boycott by Meta and Google follows other exits by companies and tech figures, including Intel, Siemens and US comedian Amy Poehler and X-files actor Gillian Anderson.
The Web Summit is due to host some 2,300 startups and more than 70,000 people on November 13-16 in Lisbon.
Silicon Valley figure Garry Tan, of start-up backer Y-Combinator, initially kicked off the boycott and other big names in the industry quickly followed.
Cosgrave issued an apology on Tuesday.
"I understand that what I said, the timing of what I said, and the way it has been presented has caused profound hurt to many. To anyone who was hurt by my words, I apologise deeply," he said.
"What is needed at this time is compassion, and I did not convey that," the statement said.
Cosgrave said he "unreservedly" condemns Hamas's "evil, disgusting and monstrous" attack on Israel and "unequivocally" supports Israel's "right to exist and to defend itself."
He also said that Israel should adhere to the Geneva Conventions, "ie, not commit war crimes."
“He also said that Israel should adhere to the Geneva Conventions, “ie, not commit war crimes.”
For supposedly being super smart and all it seems a whole lot of these braniacs have never actually read the Geneva Conventions.
L
Between DeValera’s condolences to Germany and the IRA’s close cooperation with Palestinian terrorists, the Irish have often associated with very sinister forces.
Does that mean Hamas can’t actually commit war crimes, because they aren’t a nation?
“But it felt good to be so woke and self-righteous,” said the formerly-employed Mr Cosgrave, “until my stupid remarks hit me like a 2X4 in the teeth.”
FWIW Microsoft has publicly condemned Hamas and supports Israel. Not all tech companies are fascists.
I’m pretty sure that there is a classification for non state actors-as I’m vaguely remembering Bush torturing Al Qaeda and SCOTUS ruling against him.
That position lacks nuance. You could just as easily say, "Between the U.K.'s former king's connections to Hitler, and their Prime Minister's total submission to Joseph Stalin, the British have often associated with very sinister forces."
Give them time... they’ll be back to “normal” after weeks of Arab propaganda. :(
True that.
“Does that mean Hamas can’t actually commit war crimes, because they aren’t a nation?”
Actually the way I interpret it they’re all unlawful combatants subject to summary execution when caught. And I’m okay with that.
L
Those without sin are the only hosts we will visit.
Blessed Mary confrences only?
Did you read the article. All of the tech companies were the same.
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