RAMALLAH, West Bank — France is “firmly opposed” to a boycott of Israel, the French foreign minister said Friday, after the partly state-owned French telecommunications company Orange said it would seek to withdraw its brand from the Israeli market.

The company’s decision was seen in Israel as the latest in a rapid succession of blows meant to isolate and punish the country over its policies toward the Palestinians. Last week, Israel’s opponents tried to eject it from FIFA, the global soccer governing body, and on Tuesday, the National Union of Students in Britain decided to align itself with the goals of the boycott movement.

The chief executive of Orange, Stéphane Richard, denied that his remarks about withdrawing from Israel were related to pressure from boycott activists.

Activists have been trying for years to get people, organizations and governments around the world to shun Israel and Israeli businesses, arguing that the Jewish state systematically violates Palestinians’ rights. So far, what is known as the B.D.S., or boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, has had little financial effect, but it has started a global conversation.