“The persistence of bias, particularly the disproportionate volume of resolutions against Israel, undermines the Council’s credibility as the globally focused and objective international human rights body we all want and need,” said a statement from the British Mission to the United Nations in a rare condemnation of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after the UN body voted five resolutions singling out Israel for its policies towards the Palestinians.

The UK backed two resolutions “according to long-standing policy” and “serious concerns” about Israel’s settlement policy, West Bank demolitions and use of administrative detention. But it abstained on a further two motions and voted against one calling for the return of the Golan Heights to Syria.

In past votes on the same text — introduced annually by Syria's Assad regime, and more recently by the Islamic group acting as a surrogate — the UK had abstained, together with European Union member states.

“Israel is the only country permanently on the Human Rights Council’s agenda. Indeed, when the Council voted to include Israel as a permanent item in 2007 – the so-called agenda Item 7 – it was then UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon who expressed his deep disappointment given the range and scope of allegations of human rights violations throughout the world,” the British statement said.

The UK warned that there was an “unacceptable pattern of bias” in the UNHRC’s treatment of Israel, and noted that: “Israel is a population of eight million in a world of seven billion.

“Yet since its foundation, the UNHRC has adopted 135 country-specific resolutions; 68 of which have been against Israel.

“Justice is blind and impartial. This selective focus on Israel is neither.”

London also reminded the UNHRC that “we must also recognise the continuing terrorism, incitement and violence that Israel faces. ‘’According to the Quartet’s report last year, there were 250 terrorist attacks, leading to the deaths of at least 30 Israelis. As long as terrorists are treated as martyrs, peace will prove distant,’’ the statement added.

"Today we are putting the Human Rights Council on notice. If things do not change, in the future we will adopt a policy of voting against all resolutions concerning Israel’s conduct,’’ it said.

Speaking in the House of Commons, British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said it was “absolutely preposterous” that there should be a motion condemning Israel’s policy in the Golan Heights “when after all in that region of Syria we have seen the most appalling barbarity by the Assad regime.

“That was the point the UK government was making,” he added, a reference to a statement by the UK’s delegation to the UN on Friday which castigated the UNHRC over a motion criticising Israel for its continued “occupation” of the Golan Heights.

Johnson also said he opposed the imposition of boycotts on Israeli West Bank settlements and that he believed shoppers should make the choice for themselves