U.S. Threatens Visa Revocation for Palestinian Delegation to the U.N.

TEL AVIV, Israel — The United States is exerting pressure on the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations by threatening visa revocation unless Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour withdraws his candidacy for vice president of the General Assembly. A May 19th cable from the U.S. State Department, obtained by NPR, directed U.S. diplomats in Jerusalem to urge Palestinian officials to halt Mansour’s bid for one of the 21 vice president positions at the U.N. or face potential consequences, such as losing their visas.

According to the cable, marked sensitive but unclassified, Mansour is known for his accusations against Israel, claiming genocide, and this candidacy trajectory could heighten tensions and hinder President Trump’s peace agenda for Gaza. It emphasized that offering Mansour a prominent role would not improve the Palestinians’ situation and could severely impact U.S. relations with the Palestinian Authority. Congress is expected to take this matter with great concern.

While Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ office refrained from commenting, the cable emphasized a possible reconsideration of visa sanctions and inadmissibility waivers for Palestinian officials stationed at the U.N.’s Observer Mission in New York, following a past decision to waive them.

Hady Amr, a former senior State Department official dealing with Palestinian affairs during the Obama and Biden administrations, criticized the threat of visa restrictions, stating, “Generally, it’s counterproductive because you need diplomats to work out problems between countries and by expelling diplomats, you’re undermining not only their ability to solve problems, but the abilities of the United States as well.”

The U.S. has a history of opposing Palestinian endeavors to secure full membership at the U.N. and other international organizations, citing them as obstacles to peace efforts with Israel. The threat of revoking Mansour’s visa is a novel development. The State Department did not disclose specific actions related to individual cases, citing confidentiality rules.

A 1947 agreement stipulates that the U.S. must permit U.N. officials to visit their headquarters in New York. Despite this, the U.S. has denied visas to officials from Iran, Russia, and previously, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, citing national security concerns.

Earlier in the year, Ambassador Mansour had already withdrawn his candidacy for president of the U.N. General Assembly after U.S. lobbying efforts. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon hailed this withdrawal as a measure to prevent the exploitation of the General Assembly to politically target Israel and outmaneuver its status. Danon suggested that Palestinian authorities should concentrate on halting terrorist incitement and reforming governance.

With elections for vice president roles scheduled for June 2nd, U.S. officials are intensifying efforts to dissuade Mansour from participating. The race includes candidates from various Asian and Pacific nations, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mongolia.

Ambassador Mansour has made impactful and emotional speeches during U.N. sessions, captivating attention with poignant appeals concerning Palestinian humanitarian crises. In May 2025, amidst escalations in Gaza, he emotionally recounted the tragic loss of children in Israeli airstrikes. Later, in August 2025, Mansour advocated for a ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of saving lives on both sides.