US Threatens Palestinian UN Envoy Visa Over Vice Presidency Bid

The Trump administration has threatened to revoke visas for Palestinian diplomats if their ambassador, Riyad Mansour, does not withdraw his candidacy for vice president of the UN General Assembly. According to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters and NPR, the U.S. claims that Mansour's bid undermines peace efforts in Gaza.

A cable dated May 19 instructed U.S. diplomats in Jerusalem to pressure Palestinian officials to withdraw their bid for one of the 21 vice president roles at the UN or face possible consequences including visa revocation. The cable states that Mansour's election could undermine President Trump’s Middle East peace plan and significantly damage U.S. relations with the Palestinian Authority.

The State Department spokesperson said, 'We take seriously our obligations under the U.N. Headquarters Agreement.' They also noted that in September 2025, the department made a decision to waive visa sanctions for Palestinian officials assigned to the PLO's UN Observer Mission in New York. The cable warns that it would be unfortunate to have to revisit any available options.

Mansour had already withdrawn his candidacy for president of the General Assembly as a result of U.S. lobbying in February, but if elected to the lower-profile vice presidency, he could still preside over General Assembly sessions. The election of the UN General Assembly president and the 16 delegations that will serve as vice presidents is scheduled for June 2.

The Palestinian Authority represents the Palestinian people at the United Nations where they are an observer state holding the same status as the Holy See (Vatican). They are not a full member of the UN General Assembly and have no vote in the 193-member assembly. The U.S. threat to revoke Palestinian diplomats' visas at the UN is unprecedented.