Israeli and European officials told the outlet that Israel has become one of the key flashpoints in the rivalry.

The European official's statement denies the Palestinians' 'rich history,' whitewashes "Israeli apartheid" and goes against the EU's commitment to international law and human rights, the PA stated.

European president Ursula von der Leyen struck a distinctly different tone in Israel's capital. What's driving this shift?

'It is thanks to her and to all the other European icons that I am presenting my vision of Europe to you today,' the first female European Commission president said.