Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is not welcome in France until he explains his statement appealing to French Jews to leave the country and move to Israel, a statement from President Jacques Chirac's office said on Monday.
"France has asked for an explanation following Sharon's statement. (France) has let it be known that from today an eventual visit by the Israeli prime minister to Paris, for which no date had been set, would not be considered until such an explanation is forthcoming," said the statement, from the Elysee Palace.
Sharon on Sunday urged all French Jews to move immediately to Israel in order to escape what he called the "spread of the wildest anti-Semitism".
The French foreign ministry described the remarks as "unacceptable," and French politicians, media and religious leaders also reacted with indignation.
Israeli television reported earlier Monday that Chirac had told Sharon in a message that he is unwelcome in France.
"After some weeks of contacts concerning such a visit it turns out that it is impossible ... and you are not welcome following your comments," the message said, according to Israel's Channel 2 television.
The Elysee Palace statement said the message had been "verbally delivered by diplomatic means."
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