US Threatens Visa Revocation for Palestinian UN Mission
DID Press: US has reportedly warned that it could revoke visas for members of the Palestinian mission to the UN if the Palestinian representative does not withdraw from the race for a vice presidency seat in the UN General Assembly.
According to an internal U.S. State Department message obtained by NPR, American diplomats in Jerusalem were instructed to pressure Palestinian officials this week to abandon the candidacy or face possible consequences, including visa cancellation.
The 19 May cable, marked “sensitive but unclassified,” states that Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian envoy to the UN, has “a history of accusing Israel of genocide” and argues that his candidacy would escalate tensions and undermine Donald Trump’s Gaza peace efforts.
The document reportedly warned that giving Mansour “a platform” would not improve the lives of Palestinians and could significantly damage U.S. relations with the Palestinian Authority. It added that Congress would view the issue seriously.
The office of Mahmoud Abbas has not publicly commented on the report.
The message also referenced the possibility of visa revocations, describing such a move as “unfortunate.”
Before last year’s UN General Assembly session in New York, the Trump administration reportedly denied visas to several senior Palestinian officials, including Mahmoud Abbas, though the Palestinian UN mission itself retained its diplomatic status.
The cable further noted that in September 2025, the U.S. State Department lifted certain visa restrictions affecting officials linked to the Palestine Liberation Organization observer mission in New York, but added that “review of available options” could continue if necessary.
A former U.S. diplomat described the reported threat to revoke visas as “damaging.”
For decades, Washington has opposed Palestinian efforts to gain full UN membership or broader recognition in international institutions, arguing that such steps undermine direct peace negotiations with Israel.
However, analysts note that a direct threat targeting the Palestinian UN mission’s visas would be highly unusual.
Mansour had previously withdrawn from a bid for the presidency of the UN General Assembly in February. According to the State Department message, Washington had also lobbied against that candidacy.
Elections for vice-presidential positions in the General Assembly are scheduled for 2 June. U.S. officials have repeatedly urged the Palestinian mission not to participate.
According to the UN General Assembly president’s office, the Palestinian representative is listed among candidates from the Asia-Pacific group alongside Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mongolia.
The State Department message also suggested that the next president of the General Assembly could appoint a Palestinian vice president to oversee high-level UN meetings.