France accused Israel on Thursday of harming bilateral ties after Israeli security forces entered a holy site under French administration in Jerusalem and briefly detained two French officials with diplomatic status.

The French foreign ministry says armed Israeli police forced their way into a French-owned church compound in the contested city of Jerusalem, briefly detaining two consulate members and prompting the top French diplomat to abandon his planned visit to the site.

France condemned the unauthorized entry of Israeli security agents into a French-owned church site in Jerusalem and their arrest of two consulate staffers.

France's foreign minister refused to enter a holy site under French administration in Jerusalem on Thursday due to the presence of Israeli security forces, who briefly arrested two French officials in the latest rift between the two countries.

Israeli police entered the Eleona church site, which France has claimed as its own since 1948, and briefly arrested two gendarmes, then freed them. France's Foreign Ministry said it would soon summon Israel's ambassador.

Israeli police entered the French-owned Eleona church compound in Jerusalem, on Thursday, briefly detaining two gendarmes and prompting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to abandon a scheduled visit,