Pro-Palestine Activists Interrupt Brian O’Driscoll’s Tech Conference Speech with ‘Shame on You’ Protest

A recent tech conference in Dublin was interrupted by pro-Palestine activists during a keynote speech by former rugby player Brian O’Driscoll. The protest occurred due to the event’s affiliation with a company linked to the Israeli military.

Protest at Cyber Leader Summit Dublin 2025

The Cyber Leader Summit Dublin 2025, organized by Check Point, a cybersecurity firm with headquarters in Tel Aviv and California, featured O’Driscoll as the keynote speaker. The company has ties to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), with members of its leadership previously serving in the military.

Event Disruption Details

On Thursday afternoon, during O’Driscoll’s address at The Westbury Hotel in Dublin city center, a protest erupted. Footage shows one activist yelling, “Shame on you, what are you doing here? … Shame on you, Brian.”

• Protesters were escorted from the venue shortly after.
• Several gardaí were present outside the hotel during the incident.
• No arrests were made, and those involved dispersed peacefully.

Organizer’s Perspective

The demonstration was organized by Your Tech Their Deaths, which advocates for technology companies to cease their services to the Israeli military. Jude Farrell, the founder of the group, criticized O’Driscoll’s attendance and expressed concern over Ireland’s neutrality in light of the conference.

Farrell stated, “The fact a company with links to the IDF is holding a conference in Dublin should strike fear into everyone that values Ireland’s neutrality.”

Check Point’s Company Background

Check Point’s executive team includes several former IDF members. Notable positions include:

• Nadav Zafrir – Chief Executive Officer and former Commander of the IDF’s Cyber Command.
• Roi Karo – Chief Strategy Officer with over 25 years of service in the IDF.
• Jonathan Zanger – Chief Technology Officer who led R&D for Unit 8200, the military intelligence unit.
• Alex Spokoiny – Chief Information Officer with leadership roles in the Israeli Air Force.

Despite the disruption, a spokesperson for Check Point confirmed that the event “went ahead as planned” and declined to comment further. They noted partnerships with major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.

Authorities’ Response

A spokesman for the gardaí reported responding to a “public order incident” around 3:30 PM near Grafton Street. They emphasized that the situation was managed without any reported arrests.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding companies linked to military entities and the protests advocating for greater accountability in the tech industry.