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| French Telecom Executive’s Remarks on Israel Incite Furor | French Telecom Executive’s Remarks on Israel Incite Furor |
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| JERUSALEM — A growing global pro-Palestinian movement to boycott Israel instantly created a national furor on Thursday after the top executive in the French brand licenser of a major Israeli cellphone company said he would gladly withdraw if he could. | JERUSALEM — A growing global pro-Palestinian movement to boycott Israel instantly created a national furor on Thursday after the top executive in the French brand licenser of a major Israeli cellphone company said he would gladly withdraw if he could. |
| The Facebook page of the Israeli company, Partner Communications, was filled with customer complaints demanding that it sever ties with the French licenser, Orange, the multinational telecom group. Israel’s Foreign Ministry and politicians also expressed outrage, demanding an apology from Orange. | The Facebook page of the Israeli company, Partner Communications, was filled with customer complaints demanding that it sever ties with the French licenser, Orange, the multinational telecom group. Israel’s Foreign Ministry and politicians also expressed outrage, demanding an apology from Orange. |
| “There is no reason why you should be paying, and in fact why we should be paying, indirectly, for such an anti-Israel brand,” wrote Uriel Nofech, one disaffected Israeli customer. | “There is no reason why you should be paying, and in fact why we should be paying, indirectly, for such an anti-Israel brand,” wrote Uriel Nofech, one disaffected Israeli customer. |
| The Orange chief executive, Stéphane Richard, said on Wednesday that he would withdraw from Israel “tomorrow morning” if not for the potential legal and financial penalties. | The Orange chief executive, Stéphane Richard, said on Wednesday that he would withdraw from Israel “tomorrow morning” if not for the potential legal and financial penalties. |
| Mr. Richard’s remarks touched a nerve in Israel, where concern about the boycott movement had long simmered on a back burner. The movement has been increasingly in the spotlight since last week’s failed Palestinian bid to oust Israel from FIFA, soccer’s global governing body. | Mr. Richard’s remarks touched a nerve in Israel, where concern about the boycott movement had long simmered on a back burner. The movement has been increasingly in the spotlight since last week’s failed Palestinian bid to oust Israel from FIFA, soccer’s global governing body. |
| Now the issue is suddenly topping the national agenda, having directly impinged on two things many Israelis hold dear: soccer and their cellphones. | Now the issue is suddenly topping the national agenda, having directly impinged on two things many Israelis hold dear: soccer and their cellphones. |
| In between, Britain’s National Union of Students voted on Tuesday to align itself with the goals of the boycott movement, following a series of similar symbolic moves on American campuses, although the umbrella organization of British universities said it was strongly opposed to any academic boycott of Israeli institutions. | In between, Britain’s National Union of Students voted on Tuesday to align itself with the goals of the boycott movement, following a series of similar symbolic moves on American campuses, although the umbrella organization of British universities said it was strongly opposed to any academic boycott of Israeli institutions. |
| The Israeli-Palestinian peace process is at an impasse, and the Palestinians have been gaining international support for recognition of their statehood in a campaign that bypasses the paralyzed negotiations with Israel. Put together with a new Israeli government dominated by right-wing and religious parties, many Israelis are now waking up to the possibility of what some politicians here have long warned of: a “diplomatic tsunami.” | The Israeli-Palestinian peace process is at an impasse, and the Palestinians have been gaining international support for recognition of their statehood in a campaign that bypasses the paralyzed negotiations with Israel. Put together with a new Israeli government dominated by right-wing and religious parties, many Israelis are now waking up to the possibility of what some politicians here have long warned of: a “diplomatic tsunami.” |
| Yediot Aharonot, a popular Hebrew newspaper, kicked off a series of articles this week about what it called “the struggle against international sanctions,” with a map showing boycott efforts underway around the world. Ben-Dror Yemini, a right-wing Yediot columnist, described the latest boycott moves as a result of an atmosphere fostered by “mendacious propaganda” and as milestones on a “disgraceful march.” | Yediot Aharonot, a popular Hebrew newspaper, kicked off a series of articles this week about what it called “the struggle against international sanctions,” with a map showing boycott efforts underway around the world. Ben-Dror Yemini, a right-wing Yediot columnist, described the latest boycott moves as a result of an atmosphere fostered by “mendacious propaganda” and as milestones on a “disgraceful march.” |
| Gilad Erdan, the Israeli minister tasked with coordinating the fight against the boycott movement, held an urgent meeting Wednesday night with political and security officials. Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, recently convened a meeting of university leaders to combat academic boycotts. | Gilad Erdan, the Israeli minister tasked with coordinating the fight against the boycott movement, held an urgent meeting Wednesday night with political and security officials. Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, recently convened a meeting of university leaders to combat academic boycotts. |
| Israel’s Parliament on Wednesday held a debate on the issue, in which conservative and liberal politicians alike rushed to condemn boycotts, but differed sharply on how. | Israel’s Parliament on Wednesday held a debate on the issue, in which conservative and liberal politicians alike rushed to condemn boycotts, but differed sharply on how. |
| “We will recruit the world’s Jews and lovers of Israel, and boycott those who boycott us,” declared Ayelet Shaked, the ultranationalist new justice minister. “We will boycott the boycotters.” | “We will recruit the world’s Jews and lovers of Israel, and boycott those who boycott us,” declared Ayelet Shaked, the ultranationalist new justice minister. “We will boycott the boycotters.” |
| Zehava Galon, head of the far-left Meretz party, said, “I want to state clearly, my colleagues and I are opposed to a boycott of Israel, but we cannot tolerate the self-victimizing policy” of people like Ms. Shaked “in which anyone who dares to criticize the occupation policy helps the anti-Semites.” | |
| At the same time, some American Jews are increasingly focused on fighting back, as well. Several news outlets have reported that Sheldon Adelson, the casino tycoon who has been a critical supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is convening a secretive meeting of wealthy pro-Israel donors in Las Vegas this weekend to create a new antiboycott movement his wife has named the Maccabees. | At the same time, some American Jews are increasingly focused on fighting back, as well. Several news outlets have reported that Sheldon Adelson, the casino tycoon who has been a critical supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is convening a secretive meeting of wealthy pro-Israel donors in Las Vegas this weekend to create a new antiboycott movement his wife has named the Maccabees. |
| Mr. Netanyahu lashed out against the boycott movement on Sunday, denying that it had anything to do with Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians and saying that it rather had to do with Israel’s very existence, likening it to age-old anti-Semitic “libels.” He has made similar remarks in several meetings with foreign leaders since. | Mr. Netanyahu lashed out against the boycott movement on Sunday, denying that it had anything to do with Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians and saying that it rather had to do with Israel’s very existence, likening it to age-old anti-Semitic “libels.” He has made similar remarks in several meetings with foreign leaders since. |
| Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian leader in the West Bank who has been active in advocating a boycott for years, described Mr. Netanyahu’s reaction as “hysterical” and said it was “a way of keeping his authority by spreading fear.” Mr. Barghouti said he was also disappointed with the Israeli opposition leader, Isaac Herzog, of the center left, who called the boycott trend “a new form of terrorism.” | Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian leader in the West Bank who has been active in advocating a boycott for years, described Mr. Netanyahu’s reaction as “hysterical” and said it was “a way of keeping his authority by spreading fear.” Mr. Barghouti said he was also disappointed with the Israeli opposition leader, Isaac Herzog, of the center left, who called the boycott trend “a new form of terrorism.” |
| Invoking the methods of Gandhi, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, Mr. Barghouti insisted that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement was “one of the most peaceful and nonviolent forms of struggle” against the Israeli occupation and settlements, which most of the world considers a violation of international law. | Invoking the methods of Gandhi, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, Mr. Barghouti insisted that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement was “one of the most peaceful and nonviolent forms of struggle” against the Israeli occupation and settlements, which most of the world considers a violation of international law. |
| The Orange episode is “only the beginning,” he said, “the tip of the iceberg if these policies continue.” | The Orange episode is “only the beginning,” he said, “the tip of the iceberg if these policies continue.” |
| Mr. Richard, the Orange executive, made his comments about withdrawing from Israel at a news conference in Egypt, where the Mobinil telecommunications company is almost entirely owned by Orange. The company has been under pressure from some nongovernmental organizations and unions in France that object to Orange’s connection with Partner Communications because it operates in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. | Mr. Richard, the Orange executive, made his comments about withdrawing from Israel at a news conference in Egypt, where the Mobinil telecommunications company is almost entirely owned by Orange. The company has been under pressure from some nongovernmental organizations and unions in France that object to Orange’s connection with Partner Communications because it operates in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. |
| Israel’s far-right deputy foreign minister, Tzipi Hotovely, dashed off a letter of protest. | Israel’s far-right deputy foreign minister, Tzipi Hotovely, dashed off a letter of protest. |
| “I must admit to having been taken aback by these reports which do not become a responsible global company such as Orange,” she wrote. “I appeal to you to refrain from being party to the industry of lies which unfairly targets Israel.” | “I must admit to having been taken aback by these reports which do not become a responsible global company such as Orange,” she wrote. “I appeal to you to refrain from being party to the industry of lies which unfairly targets Israel.” |
| The Foreign Ministry also demanded an apology from Mr. Richard, noting the potential financial fallout for Partner Communications from enraged local customers. And it asked for clarifications from the French government because Orange is partly state-owned. | The Foreign Ministry also demanded an apology from Mr. Richard, noting the potential financial fallout for Partner Communications from enraged local customers. And it asked for clarifications from the French government because Orange is partly state-owned. |
| “In our analysis, the man was fawning to Arab companies, telling them what he believed they wanted to hear,” said the ministry’s spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon. | “In our analysis, the man was fawning to Arab companies, telling them what he believed they wanted to hear,” said the ministry’s spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon. |
| Mr. Nahshon said Mr. Richard’s statement “has no importance whatsoever,” and that Israel does not face any real economic threat even though the boycott movement has been gaining ground. Instead, he said, “it is about the general atmosphere and feeling.” | Mr. Nahshon said Mr. Richard’s statement “has no importance whatsoever,” and that Israel does not face any real economic threat even though the boycott movement has been gaining ground. Instead, he said, “it is about the general atmosphere and feeling.” |
| “It is about the general atmosphere and feeling,” Mr. Nahshon said. | “It is about the general atmosphere and feeling,” Mr. Nahshon said. |
| At Orange Israel, executives were engaged in damage control. The company said it had not yet seen a wave of its clients moving over to competing providers; however, Israel Radio carried an interview with the head of a local company, Simply Green, who said he was switching suppliers for his 34 accounts “in light of the wretched statement” made by the French executive. | At Orange Israel, executives were engaged in damage control. The company said it had not yet seen a wave of its clients moving over to competing providers; however, Israel Radio carried an interview with the head of a local company, Simply Green, who said he was switching suppliers for his 34 accounts “in light of the wretched statement” made by the French executive. |
| Several hundred employees of Partner, the franchise holder, protested outside Orange’s offices and draped an Israeli flag over the company’s sign outside. | Several hundred employees of Partner, the franchise holder, protested outside Orange’s offices and draped an Israeli flag over the company’s sign outside. |
| Haim Romano, the outgoing chief executive of Partner, an Israeli-owned company whose controlling stake is held by the Saban Capital Group, told Israel Radio that the company was considering suing Orange and Mr. Richard “for financial damage and damage to our reputation.” | Haim Romano, the outgoing chief executive of Partner, an Israeli-owned company whose controlling stake is held by the Saban Capital Group, told Israel Radio that the company was considering suing Orange and Mr. Richard “for financial damage and damage to our reputation.” |
| Orange did not immediately comment on Mr. Richard’s statement. Calcalist, an Israeli business newspaper, noted that Partner announced in April that it had renewed its agreement with Orange to use the brand name for the next decade. | Orange did not immediately comment on Mr. Richard’s statement. Calcalist, an Israeli business newspaper, noted that Partner announced in April that it had renewed its agreement with Orange to use the brand name for the next decade. |
| On Facebook, an Orange Israel team member named Saja Frige, was given the task of responding to Mr. Nofech, the disgruntled customer. Ms. Frige, apparently a Muslim woman whose photo showed her wearing a head scarf, started with a friendly “Hi Uriel,” then posted a form response expressing regret for Mr. Richard’s words and explaining that Partner is not owned by Orange and that the only connection is the license to use the brand. | On Facebook, an Orange Israel team member named Saja Frige, was given the task of responding to Mr. Nofech, the disgruntled customer. Ms. Frige, apparently a Muslim woman whose photo showed her wearing a head scarf, started with a friendly “Hi Uriel,” then posted a form response expressing regret for Mr. Richard’s words and explaining that Partner is not owned by Orange and that the only connection is the license to use the brand. |
| “I am aware of what you say,” Mr. Nofech responded. “That is exactly why I am asking why you need this brand. Get rid of it.” | “I am aware of what you say,” Mr. Nofech responded. “That is exactly why I am asking why you need this brand. Get rid of it.” |