A question about which countries threaten world peace was omitted from a European Commission opinion poll, in part to avoid a repeat of last year's confrontation between Brussels and Israeli and world Jewish leaders.

A year ago the Commission sparked political furore after releasing a poll showing most Europeans considered Israel a threat to world peace. The ensuing tensions with Jewish leaders also cast a shadow on the European Union's ability to play a more active role in trying to reach a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians.