The administration of US President Donald Trump has threatened to revoke visas of the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations.
The warning came after Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour refused to withdraw his candidacy for the vice presidency of the UN General Assembly.
According to a State Department cable seen by Reuters, US diplomats in Jerusalem were instructed to deliver the message to Palestinian officials.
Washington Links Bid to Gaza Tensions
The cable stated that Mansour’s candidacy could “fuel tensions” and harm Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
It also warned that the Palestinian Authority could face consequences if the candidacy continued.
Furthermore, the document referred to a 2025 decision by the US State Department to waive visa sanctions for Palestinian officials working at the UN mission in New York.
The cable warned that Washington could reconsider those waivers if needed.
US Opposes Palestinian Leadership Role
According to the document, Mansour had already withdrawn his bid for president of the General Assembly after earlier US pressure.
However, US officials remain concerned about his vice-presidential candidacy.
They fear Palestinian representatives could preside over key General Assembly meetings during the UN’s 81st session in September.
The election for the UN General Assembly president and 16 vice presidents will take place on June 2.
Gaza War Continues to Shape Diplomacy
The diplomatic dispute comes as the Gaza conflict continues to affect global politics.
Trump’s proposed Gaza peace initiative has faced setbacks because of ongoing Israeli military operations and Hamas’s refusal to disarm.
Israeli forces still control large areas of Gaza. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in the territory continues to worsen.
The Palestinian Authority holds observer state status at the United Nations. However, it does not have voting rights in the General Assembly.
