France, Israel seek to mend ties with Katsav's visit

France and Israel sought yesterday to patch up ties frayed by discord over the Middle East and attacks on Jews in France, with Israel's visiting president praising host Jacques Chirac for his stance on anti-Semitism.

Moshe Katsav also used a joint news conference with Mr Chirac to urge France and other European Union countries to demand Palestinians end attacks on Israelis as a condition for receiving EU aid.

Although Mr Katsav's role is largely ceremonial, Israel's ambassador said the first visit to France by an Israeli head of state in 16 years could pave the way for a visit by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in April.

"This is part of efforts to warm up relations between Israel and France," ambassador Nissim Zvili told Europe 1 radio, adding that ties had "deteriorated so much" recently.

"We are critical of the French view of the Middle East and the French are critical of the policy of the Israeli government. But we chose to make the distinction between (that disagreement) and our bilateral relations so as to improve ties," he said.

Despite French protestations to the contrary, France is widely seen in Israel as having a pro-Arab bias. Paris has criticised Israel's treatment of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and a controversial barrier it is building in the West Bank.

Relations have been further strained by a rise in reports of anti-Semitism in France in recent years ranging from abusive remarks to violence against Jews and their property. Young Muslim men have been identified as behind many of the attacks.

The government has urged French Muslims not to play out the Middle East conflict on French soil and has told police to deal firmly with offenders. Although contested by Jewish groups, figures show attacks dropped by more than a third in 2003.

Mr Chirac said he could not accept criticism that anti-Semitism was rising in France and said his government has making headway in its "relentless fight" against it.

"We are inflexible on this issue and that's why we do not accept the groundless accusations which, sometimes, have been made against the honour of France," Mr Chirac said.

Mr Katsav, who said in a newspaper interview ahead of his visit he was concerned about attacks on Jews in France, thanked Mr Chirac for his tough stance on "this particularly painful question". Both men said they had discussed a range of issues in a frank manner, and Mr Katsav urged Europe to insist that "any support offered to the Palestinians should be tied to an end to terrorism".

Israel has favoured US mediation in the Middle East peace process, but French officials say they hope Mr Katsav's visit will open doors for Europe to have greater influence in future.

Germany urged the EU and the United States this month to launch a joint Middle East plan in which economic aspirations would feature as much as security fears. French diplomatic sources say France will outline its view of prospects soon.