The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories has been removed from a local committee of Human Rights Watch.

Richard Falk, who is a professor of law at Princeton University, has been removed from the Santa Barbara committee of the non-governmental organisation and no longer appears on the committee list on the website.

Mr Falk, who is Jewish, has previously been “strongly condemned” by Prime Minister David Cameron for publishing an antisemitic cartoon and has been criticised for endorsing a book by antisemitic musician Gilad Atzmon.

He was criticised recently by US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice over his calls to boycott companies with links to settlements.

"His call for a boycott of private companies is irresponsible and unacceptable," said Ms Rice. "Throughout his tenure, Mr Falk has been highly biased and made offensive statements.

"His recommendations do nothing to further a peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and indeed poison the environment for peace."