US Threatens Palestinian UN Envoy Over Vice Presidency Bid
US pressures Palestinian UN envoy to drop General Assembly VP bid, threatens visa revocation
Image: Jpost
The Trump administration has pressured the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, to withdraw his candidacy for the vice presidency of the UN General Assembly, threatening to revoke visas for the Palestinian delegation if he does not comply. This move is seen as an attempt to prevent any Palestinian influence in the assembly amidst ongoing tensions related to the Gaza peace plan.
- 01The US State Department's cable warns that Mansour's candidacy 'fuels tensions' and undermines the Gaza peace plan.
- 02The Palestinian Authority (PA) was previously pressured to withdraw Mansour's candidacy for the General Assembly presidency in February.
- 03The upcoming election for the UN General Assembly president and vice presidents is scheduled for June 2.
- 04The Palestinian delegation operates as an observer state at the UN, similar to the Holy See.
- 05US diplomats were instructed to communicate the potential consequences of Mansour's candidacy, including a review of visa waivers.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The Trump administration has issued a warning to the Palestinian delegation at the United Nations, threatening to revoke their visas if Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, does not withdraw his candidacy for the vice presidency of the UN General Assembly. An internal State Department cable, dated Wednesday and seen by Reuters, indicates that the US views Mansour's bid as a factor that could 'fuel tensions' and undermine the peace plan for Gaza. The cable emphasizes that the Palestinian Authority (PA) would be held responsible for any failure to withdraw the candidacy. Previously, Mansour had withdrawn from the race for the presidency of the General Assembly following US lobbying. The elections for the General Assembly president and vice presidents are set for June 2. The Palestinian mission operates as an observer state, without voting rights in the assembly, which consists of 193 member states.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
This pressure from the US could limit the Palestinian delegation's influence at the UN, affecting their ability to advocate for Palestinian interests.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Should the US influence the candidacy of foreign diplomats at the UN?
Connecting to poll...
More about United Nations
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.