Move comes after more than 300 Israeli entrepreneurs wrote an open letter to Habeck calling for a boycott of tech event
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck cancelled a planned trip to Portugal that was to include attending the next week’s Web Summit, as a firestorm over comments by the event’s founder and ex-CEO Paddy Cosgrave continues to rage.
The decision comes after more than 300 Israeli entrepreneurs wrote an open letter on Wednesday to Habeck calling for a boycott of Web Summit. It also follows the unexpected resignation of Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Tuesday amid a series of raids as part of a corruption probe. “This was decided on the basis of an overall assessment, particularly in light of the current political events in Portugal,” a ministry spokeswoman said in an emailed statement on Wednesday. “The discussion about the Web Summit also played a role.”
Many investors pulled out of Web Summit after its founder Paddy Cosgrave last month criticised western support of Israel on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter. They were followed by numerous companies, including Google parent Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Amazon and Intel. Cosgrave subsequently resigned as the event’s chief executive officer.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Web Summit takes steps to remove video criticising Paddy Cosgrave from social mediaCompany’s general counsel has said a video that criticises former chief executive Paddy Cosgrave infringes its copyright
Read more »
Web Summit pulls funding for The Ditch websiteCompany says views of The Ditch do not represent Web Summit
Read more »
Web Summit cuts funding ties with The Ditch websiteWeb Summit has ended its funding of The Ditch media organisation, saying it is moving to focus on its “core mission”.
Read more »
Web Summit pulls funding from The Ditch website with immediate effectThe company said it would no longer fund the investigative website
Read more »
Germany’s vice-chancellor withdraws from Web SummitDecision comes after more than 300 Israeli entrepreneurs wrote an open letter to Robert Habeck calling for a boycott of the tech conference
Read more »
Blue Lights: Belfast cop show arrives on RTÉ like a spritz of fresh airTelevision review: While Blue Lights acknowledges the faultlines running through post-Troubles Northern Ireland, it has broader things to say
Read more »