Orange CEO Stephane Richard arrived in Israel on Thursday. Photo: Guillaume Paumier via Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Stephane Richard, CEO of the French telecommunications giant Orange, landed in Israel on Thursday as part of a two-day trip to the Jewish state in an effort to repair ties following his controversial remarks in Cairo last week that suggested he would support a boycott of Israel “tomorrow” if he could.

Orange has a 10-year licensing agreement on cell phone service with Israel’s Partner Communications.

“Richard declared that he is happy to have a chance to clarify Orange Group’s commitment to Israel,” Orange spokeswoman Nilly Richman said in a statement.

Richard is schedule to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday. The meeting comes after Netanyahu had instructed Israel’s ambassador to France to not meet with Richard in Paris, saying, “If he wants to explain, he can come to Israel to do so.”