The Trump administration has issued warnings that it could revoke visas for Palestinian representatives at the United Nations unless their ambassador abandons his campaign for vice president of the U.N. General Assembly, according to internal State Department communications obtained by Reuters.
A diplomatic cable from Wednesday directs American embassy staff in Jerusalem to communicate that Palestinian U.N. ambassador Riyad Mansour’s General Assembly campaign “fuels tensions” and poses risks to Trump’s Gaza peace initiative, potentially triggering Washington’s retaliation if pursued.
“To be clear, we will hold the PA responsible if the Palestinian delegation does not withdraw its VPGA candidacy,” stated the cable, which was classified as sensitive but unclassified, referencing the Palestinian Authority that maintains limited governance in the West Bank.
The State Department’s guidance to American diplomats highlighted the September 2025 waiver of visa restrictions for Palestinian officials working at the Palestinian U.N. office in New York.
“It would be unfortunate to have to revisit any available options,” the cable warned, according to initial reporting by NPR.
The Palestinian U.N. office has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
A State Department representative stated: “We take seriously our obligations under the U.N. Headquarters Agreement. Due to visa record confidentiality, we have no comment on Department actions with respect to specific cases.”
Trump’s Gaza strategy, devastated following more than two years of conflict, remains stalled due to Hamas’s unwillingness to surrender arms and ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza that have weakened an October ceasefire agreement.
Israeli military forces continue controlling more than half of Gaza’s land, having destroyed most standing structures and forcing all civilians to evacuate.
The cable revealed that Mansour had previously abandoned his campaign for General Assembly president following American pressure in February, but noted that winning the less prominent vice presidency would still allow him to oversee General Assembly proceedings.
“Therefore, there is still a risk that the Palestinians could preside over GA sessions during UNGA81 unless they withdraw from the race,” the communication stated, referencing the U.N. General Assembly’s 81st annual high-level gathering scheduled for September.
“In a worst-case scenario, the next PGA might assist the Palestinians in presiding over high-profile sessions related to the Middle East or during UNGA81 high-level week,” the document continued.
Elections for the U.N. General Assembly president and 16 delegations serving as vice presidents are scheduled for June 2.
The Palestinian Authority, which speaks for Palestinian people at the United Nations under the official designation State of Palestine, lacks full membership status and voting rights in the 193-member General Assembly. They maintain observer state standing, equivalent to the Holy See (Vatican).
