French Firm Orange Looks to Withdraw from Israel Partnership

The French telecommunications group Orange has been indirectly violating international law through a partnership with an Israeli company operating in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories, something the firm’s chief says will now put an end to.

The head of Orange, Stephane Richard said he has not ruled out the possibility of ending cooperation with the Israeli company Partner, one month after various organizations denounced the links between the two companies.

“Our intention is to withdraw from Israel. It will take time” but “for sure we will do it,” he said. “I am ready to do this tomorrow morning… but without exposing Orange to huge risks,” Richard said at a press conference in Cairo Thursday.

The Embassy of Israel in Paris immediately demanded a “clarification” of Richard's comments from the presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the French state is the principal minority shareholder in the Orange group with 25 percent.

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“We decided to express immediately our disagreement and outrage,” said an Israeli diplomat, even demanding excuses from the French government.

The Israeli government has been particularly worried in recent days over the perspective of a global economic and cultural boycott.

Orange and Partner renewed their licensing agreement in 2011, authorizing Partner to use Orange's brand in Israel in exchange for royalties. The royalty rate was raised in a 2015 amendment to the contract.