France opposes Israel boycott amid Orange row...

After French telecoms giant Orange said it wanted to withdraw its brand from Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded that Paris distance itself from the company's "miserable" decision.

Orange's statement came just hours after its chief executive was accused of giving in to a pro-Palestinian campaign.

Orange, which is partly controlled by the French government, insisted its decision to end its brand-licensing agreement with Partner, Israel's second largest mobile operator, was not politically motivated.

But Israel lashed out at the decision, which appeared to be related to Partner's operations in the occupied West Bank.

 Citing its own "brand development strategy", Orange said it did not wish to maintain a brand presence in countries "in which is it not an operator", while distancing itself from the politics. Full story...

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