By Jan Porch l May 21, 2026
WASHINGTON — The administration of US President Donald Trump has reportedly threatened to revoke visas issued to the Palestinian delegation at the United Nations if Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour refuses to withdraw his candidacy for vice president of the UN General Assembly.
According to an internal US State Department cable obtained by Reuters, American diplomats in Jerusalem were instructed to warn Palestinian officials that Mansour’s candidacy could undermine Washington’s Gaza peace initiative and further inflame tensions surrounding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The diplomatic cable, marked “sensitive but unclassified,” reportedly stated that the United States would hold the Palestinian Authority responsible if the delegation continued pursuing the vice presidency position. The message also referenced Washington’s earlier decision in September 2025 to waive visa sanctions affecting Palestinian officials assigned to the UN mission in New York.
“To be clear, we will hold the PA responsible if the Palestinian delegation does not withdraw its VPGA candidacy,” the cable stated, according to Reuters.
The Palestinian mission to the United Nations did not immediately comment publicly on the report. Meanwhile, a US State Department spokesperson declined to discuss specific visa matters but emphasized that the United States takes its obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement seriously.
The pressure campaign comes amid ongoing instability surrounding the war in Gaza and broader tensions across the Middle East. Trump’s proposed peace framework for Gaza has faced major setbacks due to continuing Israeli military operations and Hamas’ refusal to surrender weapons, according to the report. Israeli forces reportedly continue controlling large portions of Gaza territory despite earlier ceasefire efforts.
Mansour had previously withdrawn from a bid for the presidency of the General Assembly earlier this year following separate US lobbying efforts. However, American officials reportedly fear that even the vice presidency role could allow Palestinian representatives to preside over high-profile UN sessions involving the Middle East during the upcoming 81st UN General Assembly session in September.
The election for the General Assembly presidency and its 16 vice presidents is scheduled for June 2. While the State of Palestine holds observer-state status at the United Nations, it is not a full member and does not possess voting rights in the 193-member General Assembly. The Palestinian delegation maintains the same UN status currently held by the Holy See.
The diplomatic dispute reflects broader tensions between Washington and Palestinian leadership as the United States continues backing Israeli security operations while simultaneously attempting to revive stalled regional peace negotiations. Analysts say the latest visa threat could further complicate already strained relations between the Trump administration and Palestinian officials.