Jerusalem - Gains made by two far-right parties in Austria's parliamentary elections Sunday were of great concern to Israel, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

"We find it very preoccupying when groups which promote xenophobia and Holocaust denial befriend neo-Nazi elements," spokesman Yigal Palmor said.

He would not say whether Israel would recall its ambassador if the parties entered into a governing coalition, telling Deutsche Presse- Agentur dpa that "it is premature to make forecasts regarding Austrian politics or consequent Israeli policies, but Israel is closely following developments."

The two far-right parties, Freedom Party and the Alliance for the Future of Austria, together won 29 per cent of the vote in the elections, results released Sunday night said. (dpa)