The United States is warning to revoke the visas of the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations. This action hinges on the withdrawal of the Palestinian ambassador’s candidacy for a vice-presidential position at the U.N. General Assembly.
A U.S. State Department cable suggests that U.S. diplomats in Jerusalem apply pressure on Palestinian officials this week. The goal is to get them to retract their bid for one of the 21 vice-president roles at the U.N., or potentially face visa revocation.
The cable, issued May 19, highlights the history of Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour’s accusatory stance toward Israel, saying his candidacy would increase tensions and hinder President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
The U.S. cable warns that giving Mansour a platform would not benefit Palestinians and that it could seriously damage U.S. relations with the Palestinian Authority. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ office did not comment on the matter.
Historically, the U.S. has often blocked full Palestinian membership at the U.N. and other international bodies. This threat of visa revocation sets a new precedent in diplomatic relations.
Hady Amr, a former State Department official, critiqued the decision to threaten visa restrictions, noting that such measures are typically reserved for extreme situations like espionage or election interference. He described the move as counterproductive.
The State Department emphasized its commitment under the U.N. Headquarters Agreement, which prohibits blocking U.N. officials from visiting. However, the U.S. has previously denied visas to certain officials from Iran, Russia, and former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on national security grounds.
Earlier this year, Ambassador Mansour withdrew a bid for U.N. General Assembly president after U.S. lobbying. Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon welcomed Mansour’s withdrawal, insisting that the focus should be on reducing terrorism and reforming the Palestinian Authority instead.
Elections for the vice-president roles are scheduled for June 2. The U.S. continues to urge the Palestinian delegation not to run. Mansour is among those from Asia and the Pacific, including candidates from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mongolia.
The U.S. cable warns that a potential Palestinian vice president could be asked to lead significant U.N. sessions, calling this a “worst-case scenario.” Mansour has drawn attention with emotional speeches at U.N. sessions, emphasizing peace and the humanitarian plight of Palestinians. He described the impact of the conflict in Gaza on children and called for a ceasefire in his speeches earlier this year.
NPR’s Michele Kelemen in Washington and Aya Batrawy in Dubai contributed to this report.
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