The administration of US President Donald Trump has reportedly pressured the Palestinian delegation at the United Nations to withdraw its bid for a vice presidency position in the UN General Assembly, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.
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The cable instructed US diplomats in Jerusalem to warn Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour that his candidacy for the vice presidency of the General Assembly could undermine Washington’s Gaza peace efforts and increase regional tensions.
Trump’s administration threatened to revoke the visas of the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations if the Palestinian ambassador refuses to end his candidacy for the vice presidency of the UN General Assembly, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters…
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 21, 2026
According to the document, the United States threatened possible consequences, including revisiting visa arrangements for Palestinian officials assigned to the UN mission in New York, if the candidacy was not withdrawn. The cable stated that the Palestinian Authority would be held responsible if Mansour continued his campaign.
The US State Department confirmed it takes its obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement seriously but declined to comment on specific visa matters due to confidentiality rules.
Reuters reported that Mansour had previously withdrawn his candidacy for the presidency of the General Assembly following earlier US lobbying efforts. However, Washington remains concerned that a vice presidency role could still allow the Palestinian delegation to preside over certain UN sessions during the 81st General Assembly later this year.
The election for the General Assembly president and 16 vice presidents is scheduled for June 2.
The Palestinian mission to the United Nations did not immediately comment on the report.
The diplomatic dispute comes amid continuing tensions over Gaza, where efforts to advance a broader peace plan have faced obstacles due to ongoing conflict and disagreements between regional parties.
Read More: UN Security Council approves US Gaza peace resolution
The Palestinian delegation, officially recognised at the UN as the State of Palestine, holds observer state status rather than full membership. This status allows participation in debates and international forums but does not grant voting rights in the 193-member General Assembly.
The development highlights continuing diplomatic friction surrounding the Palestinian issue at the international level.