Regev tells French president to ax Orange CEO

An Israeli cabinet minister calls on the French president to fire the chief executive of French telecom giant Orange.

Culture Minister Miri Regev issues her appeal on Thursday, a day after Orange’s CEO announced in Cairo that he would like to sever his company’s ties to Israel as soon as possible. He cited the country’s sensitivity to Arab countries.

French human rights groups have been pushing their government and the company itself to end the relationship over Partner Communications Ltd.’s activities in Israeli settlements.

Regev says French President Francois Hollande should show “zero tolerance” for what she calls anti-Semitism. She also urged Jewish customers of Orange around the world to change carriers.

The French government, which has good relations with Israel, holds a 13.45 percent stake in Orange.

— AP