French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron, on a visit to Israel, said that his country does not support a boycott of Israel.

“We will not agree to an economic boycott of Israel. France condemns it and all activity launched by the BDS (Boycott, Divestments, Sanctions) organization. French law does not allow such a boycott,” Macron said. “We have broad relations with Israel’s economy, which we can strengthen.”

"We are against any practice such as that of the BDS," he said.

But the minister said France backs the EU plans to label products from the Israeli settlements.

"The French and European diplomatic position is clear and has not changed and will not change," Macron told journalists.

The labelling plan has been denounced by Israel as a form of boycott against the Jewish state which is the target of an international delegitimisation campaign.

Last April, France and 15 other European Union countries urged the EU to clearly label products sold in member counties which originated in Israeli settlements.

Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Sunday that Israeli diplomats in European capitals were working to halt or at least slow down the labelling plan.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said over the weekend that the EU is nearing a decision on labelling.

Macron's visit in Israel was scheduled to coincide with the DLD Innovation and high tech Festival in Tel Aviv. The minister visited local tech incubators and signed an agreement on economic cooperation, specifically in the sectors of high tech and innovation.