France's foreign minister Laurent Fabius says the country is "firmly opposed" to the growing movement to boycott Israel. The statement comes after French telecom giant Orange (of which France has a 13.45% stake) said it plans to shut down dealings with Israel out of "sensitivity" to Arab nations.

AP reports:

Laurent Fabius said in a statement Friday that it is up to Orange to determine its business strategy, but "France is firmly opposed to a boycott of Israel."

Orange's chief executive Stephane Richard said Wednesday he wants to end his company's relationship with an Israeli partner because of sensitivity to Arab countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded strongly to Richard's announcement, calling for the French government to react.

"I call on the French government to distance itself publicly from the miserable statement and the miserable action of a company that is partially owned by the government of France," said Netanyahu. "Simultaneously, I call on our friends to say in a clear and loud voice that they object to any kind of boycott against the Jewish state."

Israel's culture minister, Miri Regev, called for Richard to be fired, while deputy foreign minister Tzippi Hotovely blasted Richard for "being party to the industry of lies which unfairly targets Israel."

Though France is officially "firmly" rejecting the boycott movement, it still "firmly" opposes Israel's West Bank settlements, as does the European Union.