Geneva  - Israel came under intense criticism Thursday, mostly by Arab and Muslims states, during a periodic country review at the United Nations' Human Rights Council.

Much of the focus was placed on Israel's activities in the Palestinian territories, including the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the state of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, as well as the presence of a security barrier and checkpoints in the West Bank.

The Palestinian representative called on Israel to "end its occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories and respect the rights of the people there."

European speakers said they were concerned about the access of humanitarian aid workers and journalists to Gaza, but noted attacks against Israel by Palestinian militants.

They also focused on some of Israel's internal matters, including Israel's Arab minority.

Malkiel Blass, Israel's deputy attorney-general, told the council his government was "aware of the difficulties of Arabs to integrate in Israeli society."

Israel said it was taking steps to improve conditions for its Arabs, who make up 20 per cent of the population, through health and education projects, as well as investments in the private sector.

More generally, Blass said "we are aware of our shortcomings and challenges that still lie ahead," but said Israel had internal mechanisms, including its judiciary, to protect human rights.

At one point, early on, the meeting's president called on the speakers to "use appropriate language," after several representatives bashed Israel.

The Human Rights Council was founded in 2006 to replace a previous commission. It began work a year later. Under the Universal Periodic Review programme, each member country of the UN has its rights record surveyed every four years.

While this was Israel's first periodic review, the council had convened three special sessions on Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories and one more after the Jewish state's war with Lebanon in 2006.

Israel's ambassador opened the session by saying the state had "reservations about some aspects of the Council's work." (dpa)