Daniel Libeskind, one of the world’s most respected architects, has criticised the Royal Institute of British Architects for urging a boycott of Israeli colleague.

Mr Libeskind told the Architects Journal he was “disappointed” by the decision. It “seems to be completely counter to the mission of Riba”, he said.

Last month, Riba passed a motion calling on the International Union of Architects to suspend Israeli members until “illegal projects” in the West Bank cease.

Mr Libeskind, who is Jewish and designed the Berlin and Copenhagen Jewish Museums, as well as the building at the site of the former World Trade Centre in New York, said the move was “short-sighted” and appeared to be “an attempt to simplify a very complex issue”.

Rick Bell, head of the American Institute of Architects – the United States equivalent of Riba – said he believed “this is an issue Riba should not be pushing”.