French Jews urge CEO of cell phone giant Orange to clarify remarks about pulling-out of Israel

The French Jewish umbrella organization CRIF has criticzed the announcement the CEO of telecoms company Orange "to pull out of Israel tomorrow" if it could.

Speaking at a press conference in Cairo, Orange CEO Stéphane Richard said: "I am ready to abandon this tomorrow morning but the point is that I want to secure the legal risk for the company. I want to terminate this, once again, but I don’t want to expose Orange to a level of risk and of penalties that could be really sizable for the company.”

Partner is owned by the American-Israeli businessman Haim Saban, who said in response to Richard's statement: "I’m proud to hold the controlling stake in Partner, which is an Israeli owned company that leases the Orange brand. Threats won’t deter me and I will continue to work on behalf of Israel and lead the global struggle in support of Israel.”

Partner CEO Isaac Benbenisti told Israeli radio: "I am very, very angry. I think that what [Richard] said is the result of very significant pressure from pro-Palestinian (groups)." Benbenisti accused the Orange CEO of attacking Israel and called for the public to get behind Partner. "We need to mobilize as a country to take care of this. Israel is attacked by the world. They try to isolate us," he said.

The CRIF said in a press release:"If Orange confirms its intention to withdraw from its partnership with Partner, it would look like a surrender to pressures of supporters of a boycott of Israel.

"It would conflict with French law prohibiting boycotts, conflict with freedom of trade, conflict with the French government's policy aiming to remain in a friendly position with all parties to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including Israel, and conflict with moral and ethical standards while Orange operates in many countries that show no respect for human rights, unlike Israel..."

The CRIF urged Orange's CEO to clarify his intention and to continue and deepen the group's activities in Israel. Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely wrote to Richard. “I must admit to have been taken aback by these reports which do not become a responsible global company such as Orange,” she said in the English-language letter, a copy of which was seen by AFP. “I am confident that these reports do not reflect the intent of your company. I therefore urge you to clarify the matter as soon as possible.”

The French state holds 25 percent in Orange Group. Anti-Israel groups have been critical of the Israeli cell phone provider for offering its services also in the West Bank. The carrier is one of three major providers in Israel's mobile telecommunications market.