The Trump administration has threatened to revoke the visas of the Palestinian Authority’s delegation to the United Nations if the PA ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, does not withdraw his candidacy for vice president of the UN General Assembly, Reuters reported on Thursday, based on an internal State Department cable. Elections are schedule for June 2.
The cable, sent on Wednesday, instructed US diplomats at the embassy in Jerusalem to deliver a message to Ramallah, saying the PA’s envoy to the UN is running for a General Assembly position in a way that “fuels tensions.” It also warns that the move could undermine Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The cable adds that if the candidacy continues, the PA mission would face consequences from Washington.
The May 19 US cable, marked sensitive but unclassified, says Ambassador Riyad Mansour “has a history of accusing Israel of genocide.”
“A bully pulpit for Mansour would not improve the lives of Palestinians and would significantly damage US relations with the PA. Congress will take it extremely seriously,” the cable says.
AFSI Insight
The U.S. warning about limiting visas for Palestinian Authority officials at the UN is a decisive reaction to the PA’s continuous attempts to use international agencies to isolate and pressure Israel rather than pursue direct negotiations. By increasing the Palestinian delegation’s power ( a non-member observer and NOT a member) at the UN, it gives an advantage to anti-Israel diplomatic efforts and strengthens the existing prejudice against Israel there. Let’s not forget about his virulent anti-Semitism, which should automatically disqualify Mansour for this position.