In a surprising turn of events, Paddy Cosgrave, the CEO of Web Summit, one of Europe's largest tech conferences, has resigned following a wave of backlash over his comments criticizing Israel and its response to the recent deadly attack by Hamas. The resignation comes as high-powered executives and tech companies began pulling out of the conference, scheduled to take place from November 13-16 in Lisbon.

Cosgrave, who founded the Web Summit, expressed regret for the distraction his personal comments had caused. "Unfortunately, my personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our start-ups, and the people who attend," he stated in a widely reported statement released on Saturday. "I sincerely apologize again for any hurt I have caused."

The controversy stemmed from Cosgrave's sharp criticism of Israel and his social media post condemning what he referred to as "war crimes" committed by allies. In the post made on October 13, Cosgrave expressed shock at the actions and rhetoric of Western leaders and governments. However, he also defended Israel's right to defend itself and emphasized the importance of not breaking international law.

Facing mounting criticism and the withdrawal of key supporters from the conference, including public companies and speakers, Cosgrave issued a subsequent apology. Recognizing the hurt caused by his words, he expressed his deep apologies and the need for compassion. He highlighted his longstanding aim for striving for peace, expressing the hope that it can ultimately be achieved.

Web Summit, known for attracting more than 70,000 attendees last year, has been left grappling with the fallout from Cosgrave's comments. With numerous high-powered executives and tech companies pulling their support, the future of this year's conference hangs in the balance.

The series of events surrounding Cosgrave's resignation highlights the sensitivity surrounding discussions about Israel and its response to the recent attack by Hamas on October 7, which has resulted in thousands of casualties. As public institutions face criticism for their initial statements regarding the conflict, dialogue surrounding the situation remains highly charged.