US pressures Palestinian UN envoy to drop General Assembly VP bid, threatens visa revocation

The United States, under the Trump administration, has escalated its pressure on Palestinian diplomats, issuing a stark warning that visa sanctions could be imposed if their UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, proceeds with his candidacy for the vice presidency of the UN General Assembly. This move, detailed in an internal State Department cable, signals a hardline approach to Palestinian diplomatic efforts on the international stage.

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To be clear, we will hold the PA responsible if the Palestinian delegation does not withdraw its VPGA candidacy.

US diplomats are instructed to convey that Mansour's bid is seen as a destabilizing factor that could jeopardize the administration's yet-to-be-fully-detailed Gaza peace plan. The cable explicitly states that the Palestinian Authority will be held responsible if the delegation does not withdraw its candidacy, indicating a willingness to use leverage, including visa access, to achieve foreign policy objectives.

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It would be unfortunate to have to revisit any available options.

This diplomatic maneuvering is particularly significant given the context of previous US actions, such as waiving visa sanctions for Palestinian officials assigned to the UN mission. The administration's stance suggests a strategic effort to isolate Palestinian representation and dictate terms for their engagement in international bodies. The potential for the Palestinians to preside over General Assembly sessions, especially those concerning the Middle East, is viewed by Washington as a risk that must be mitigated, highlighting the administration's focus on controlling the narrative and outcomes of UN proceedings.

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Therefore, there is still a risk that the Palestinians could preside over GA sessions during UNGA81 unless they withdraw from the race.