Councilman David Greenfield (right) was asked to remove his kippah in Ramallah by US Consulate security, PHOTO: Twitter

David Greenfield, a religious Jewish New York City councilman, accused the US Consulate in Jerusalem of asking him to remove his kippah during a visit last week to Ramallah, Israel’s NRG reported.

Greenfield, who represents the district of Borough Park – which is inhabited by a large number of observant Jews – tweeted his impressions of his visit to Ramallah, and his consternation at the conduct of consulate employees, saying, “Great chat w. US Consul General of Jerusalem in America’s Ramallah office. Sadly, not highlight of visit there.” He accompanied his comments with a picture of himself with Consul Michael Ratney.

Soon after, he posted further tweets. “After chatting w. Consul General, his security detail pulled me aside and insisted that I not wear yarmulke when leaving US Ramallah office. I asked US Consul security if I was endangering group. They said I wasnt.”

“So I refused to remove yarmulke in Ramallah,” Greenfield said, and posted another picture of himself, wearing his kippah, and entering a bus with fellow members of his delegation. His remarks elicited dozens of comments and retweets.

He then expressed his shock that a Jew could not wear a kippah right outside of the offices of the American consulate in Ramallah.

Security officials noted that they received complaints from local Palestinians about the Jewish American delegate who was seen walking into the building, and around Ramallah while wearing his kippah.

The American delegation was slated to meet with the Mayor of Sderot and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, before the trip to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Council Members.