Paris on Tuesday said it was still waiting for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to explain a call he made Sunday for French Jews to emigrate immediately to Israel, but indicated it wanted to end the diplomatic row.
Earlier this week, Sharon issued a public call to the 600,000 French Jews to "immediately" move to Israel in light of mounting anti-Semitism, an appeal dismissed as unacceptable by the French foreign ministry and strongly criticized by Jewish organizations.
A day after France put on hold an invitation for Sharon to visit Paris until he explains his remarks, France and Israel both said the row emanated from a "misunderstanding" and an Israeli figure said Israel was preparing to offer "clarifications."
Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said France wanted to move on from the dispute to focus its diplomatic efforts in the Middle East region on seeking peace.
"We are waiting for explanations," Barnier told Europe 1 radio, cited by Reuters.
"I am not going to engage in polemics over a planned visit by Mr. Sharon which is just a plan at this stage ... What is true is that there has been a serious misunderstanding," he said.
Moreover, the top French diplomat made clear his country was upset because it considered Sharon, who urged French Jews to escape "the wildest anti-Semitism," had not paid enough attention to French efforts to fight anti-Semitism and had misrepresented the situation in France.
"The comments questioned the very principles (of equality) of the ... French republic," Barnier said.
However, he added, "I think that now, while waiting for the explanations we asked for, we should dedicate our time, energy, intelligence and initiative to seeking peace in this region.
"As for the relations we want to preserve with the state of Israel and the Israeli people, who are our friends, we must take time to understand one another better," he said.
For its part, Tel Aviv also made clear it wanted to end the dispute.
Avi Pazner, an Israeli government spokesman and former ambassador to France, said, "This is a misunderstanding between Israel and France which is caused by cultural differences." (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
