US Pressures Palestinian Ambassador Not to Stand for UN General Assembly Vice Presidency
US President Donald Trump’s administration threatens to revoke visas for the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations if the Palestinian ambassador refuses to withdraw his candidacy for the UN General Assembly vice presidency. The threat was disclosed in an internal cable from the US State Department.
According to Al Arabiya and Reuters, on Thursday (21 May 2026), in a cable dated Wednesday (20 May) local time, US diplomats at the embassy in Jerusalem were instructed to convey the message that Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, has bid for the UN General Assembly vice presidency that has ‘raised tensions.’ The nomination is said to risk undermining the Gaza peace plan proposed by Trump and thus would face consequences from Washington if it proceeds.
‘To be clear, we will hold the Palestinian Authority accountable if the Palestinian delegation does not withdraw its candidacy for the UN General Assembly vice presidency,’ the cable said, referring to the Palestinian Authority which administers its own government in parts of the West Bank.
Among the points conveyed in the telegram to US diplomats, it emphasised the State Department’s September 2025 decision to lift visa sanctions on Palestinian officials assigned to the Palestinian Mission at the UN in New York.
‘It would be a shame if we had to revisit that option,’ the telegram said, first reported by NPR.
The US State Department declined to comment extensively on the matter. ‘We respond seriously to our obligations under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement,’ a State Department spokesperson said.
‘Because visa records are confidential, we will not comment on department actions concerning particular cases,’ he added.
According to the telegram, Mansour had previously withdrawn his candidacy for UN General Assembly president due to US lobbying in February. However, it was noted that if he were elected as vice president, he could still preside over UNGA sessions.
‘Therefore, there remains a risk that Palestine could preside over UNGA sessions during UNGA81 unless they withdraw from the candidacy,’ the telegram said, referring to the 81st annual high‑level week of the UN General Assembly to be held in September.
‘In the worst-case scenario, the next President of the General Assembly may assist Palestine in presiding over key sessions relating to the Middle East or during UNGA81’s high-level week,’ the telegram continued.
The election of the UN General Assembly President and 16 delegates who will serve as vice presidents will take place on 2 June.