Google and Stripe have announced they are pulling out of Web Summit following controversial remarks by CEO Paddy Cosgrave. 

Mr Cosgrave wrote on Twitter/X that he was "shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders and governments” since Israel declared war on Hamas. 

He also said, “War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies.”

Web Summit is due to be held next month but numerous companies have announced they no longer plan to take part. 

“We will no longer have a presence at Web Summit,” a Google spokesperson said. 

Tech giants Intel and Siemens have also announced they will no longer participate, as has actress Gillian Anderson. 

Gillian Anderson in New York. 8th October, 2014. Image: Terese Loeb Kreuzer/Alamy Live News

On Tuesday, Mr Cosgrave issued an apology for his tweets and said he “unreservedly condemns Hamas’... monstrous October 7 attack” and that he supports Israel’s right to defend herself. 

My apologyhttps://t.co/8wfXPzGKyT

— Paddy Cosgrave (@paddycosgrave) October 17, 2023

“To anyone who was hurt by my words, I apologise deeply,” he wrote. 

“What is needed at this time is compassion, and I did not convey that. 

“My aim is and always has been to strive for peace. Ultimately, I hope with all my heart that this can be achieved.”

Web Summit is attended by some 70,000 people from over 160 countries. 

Since 2016, it has been held in Lisbon, Portugal.

Main image: Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave at the 2015 Web Summit. Image: Sam Boal/Rollingnews