Tech Giants Withdraw from Europe's Largest Conference Over Controversial Remarks on Israel

Google and Meta Platforms have withdrawn from the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon after the event's leader, Paddy Cosgrave, made controversial comments about Israel. This follows similar decisions by Intel, Siemens, and several venture capitalists. Stripe Inc., a longtime sponsor of the conference, has also confirmed its absence. Cosgrave later apologized for his remarks, but a group of Israeli investors called for a boycott of the event. Web Summit has not yet provided a comment, and it remains to be seen if other companies, such as Amazon, will also withdraw.