The United Nations has condemned Israel for serious violations of the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights.

In its first review of Israel's compliance, the UN committee responsible for monitoring the covenant the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights expressed its concern at the discrimination faced by Palestinians, who it said were treated as second-class citizens.

The committee rejected Israel's assertion that it's not responsible for guaranteeing certain human rights in the occupied territories.

It also condemned Israel's confiscation of Palestinian land and its frequent practice of closing the occupied territories.

The committee has given Israel until November 2000 to comply with the UN covenant.