France Urges Arab Nations to Stop Boycotts and Protect French Citizens Amid Tensions

Calls for boycotts of French products have been multiplying in recent days. Faced with these calls, the French government wants the countries concerned to put an end to the boycott operation. "The calls for boycott are completely pointless and must cease immediately, as well as all attacks directed against our country, instrumentalized by a radical minority," said Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a statement. The ministry also believes that these calls are contrary to the positions defended by France in favor of freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of religion and the rejection of hatred.

The government believes that these movements "instrumentalize for political purposes the remarks made" by Emmanuel Macron, during his speech on "Islamic separatism". As well as his speech during the national tribute to the beheaded teacher, Samuel Paty, where the president had declared that France "would continue to defend the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, in the name of freedom of expression".

According to the Quai d’Orsay, the sole objective of the bill as well as the declarations of the French president, is to wage the fight against radical Islamism, and to do so with the Muslims of France, an integral part of French society, history and the Republic. Thus, the ministry has called on the French diplomatic network to "remind and explain to other countries, France’s positions on fundamental freedoms and rejection of hatred".

It should also be noted that Paris has invited the countries concerned to "dissociate themselves from any call for a boycott or any attack against France and to support French companies by ensuring their safety as well as that of compatriots abroad".