Palestinian Christian Scouts banned from Trump meeting

The Arab Orthodox Union Scouts of Jerusalem were banned from escorting US President Donald Trump into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in East Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday because they refused to remove their Palestinian flags from their uniforms, the union has said.

It follows a statement that Israeli police unyielding in their decision to ban the scouts from entering the church, as long as wore Palestinian flags on their uniforms.

The scouts said in the statement that they were asked specifically by the Trump team to stage a parade in Jerusalem’s Old City in order to accompany Trump into the church.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had also approved their participation in person.

But the Orthodox Union decided to cancel their participation after a phone call from the head of district police, who were "worried about the safety of the kids" should they face a confrontation with Israeli police.

US President Donald Trump began his first visit to Israel on Monday, saying he believed that Muslim states and Israel share a "common cause" in confronting Iran.

This comes as United States' new ambassador to Israel, David Friedman may have broken protocol within his first month in office by becoming the first US ambassador to attend Israel's Jerusalem Day celebrations.