France has told Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon it will not set a date for him to visit Paris until he explains comments urging French Jews to emigrate to Israel.
The remarks by a spokeswoman for President Jacques Chirac's office signalled that a long-standing invitation for Sharon to visit France would be renewed only after the Israeli leader explains the remarks which have outraged French leaders.
"(France) said today that a possible visit by the Israeli prime minister to Paris, for which no date has been set, will be be examined only when the explanations called for have been provided," she added.
France, home to western Europe's biggest Jewish and Muslim communities, has been troubled by attacks on Jewish people and property in recent years - some of it blamed on youths of north African origin angered by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Mr Sharon made his remarks in a speech to visiting Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, despite acknowledging efforts to fight anti-Semitism led by President Jacques Chirac. His comments have soured the atmosphere as France tries to build ties with Israel.
Mr Sharon often calls on all the world's Jews to migrate to Israel. He acknowledged the French government was making efforts to stem anti-Semitism but added that the threat was so grave that French Jews should head for Israel without delay.
Some Israeli politicians said France's reaction was too strong.
"I think that they are over reacting," Interior Minister Avraham Poraz said. "As you know, Israel is a Zionist state. And we always advocate Jews to immigrate to Israel. So nothing new about that."
Justice Minister Yosef Lapid said: "In such case, Prime Minister Sharon can visit other places, which is a pity because France is a beautiful country."