Media sources have revealed an unprecedented American move targeting the Palestinian diplomatic mission to the United Nations, with Washington threatening to revoke the entry visas of the delegation members. This threat comes as part of the US administration's efforts to prevent Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour from competing for the position of Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly in its upcoming session.
Press reports indicated that the US State Department issued direct instructions to its diplomats in occupied Jerusalem to exert intense pressure on the Palestinian leadership. These moves aim to force the Palestinian side to immediately withdraw Mansour's nomination, with warnings of dire diplomatic consequences if they insist on this step.
According to a diplomatic cable classified as 'sensitive,' the US administration views Ambassador Riyad Mansour as a political adversary due to his history of criticizing Israeli policies. The cable accuses Mansour of continuously working to accuse Tel Aviv of committing genocide, which Washington completely rejects and considers an obstacle to the peace process.
The US State Department considered that Palestine's accession to the position of Vice President of the General Assembly would undermine the 'peace plan' proposed by President Donald Trump. This plan includes a vision for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the establishment of a so-called 'Peace Council,' which Washington sees as threatened if the Palestinians gain an official and influential platform within the international organization.
Sources indicated that American pressure was not limited to diplomatic aspects but also extended to sensitive economic files concerning the Palestinian Authority. US diplomats hinted that non-compliance with demands could hinder any progress in the file of recovering tax and customs funds that the Israeli government has long withheld.
Political circles in Washington fear that this position would provide Palestinians with an opportunity to chair high-level sessions related to Middle East issues. The US administration believes that the internationalization of the conflict through UN institutions and international courts does not serve the peace process but rather complicates the political landscape and bilateral relations between Washington and Ramallah.
The threat to revoke the visas of accredited diplomats to the United Nations is a qualitative escalation unprecedented in dealing with the Palestinian mission. Although the Trump administration previously refused to grant visas to senior officials last year, targeting the permanent delegation in New York represents a breach of diplomatic norms followed with the international organization.
Elections for the Vice Presidents of the General Assembly are scheduled for June 2, with the Palestinians competing within the Asia-Pacific group. Washington is seeking to resolve the issue of Mansour's withdrawal by no later than May 22, to ensure he does not reach one of the sixteen positions allocated for Vice Presidents.
It is worth noting that Ambassador Riyad Mansour faced similar pressures last February, which then led him to withdraw from running for the presidency of the General Assembly. The US administration is currently repeating the same strategy to prevent him from assuming the deputy position, considering that his presence in this position will not contribute to improving the living conditions of Palestinians on the ground.
These developments come at a time when Palestinian-American relations are witnessing escalating tension due to biased positions towards the occupation. The Palestinian mission insists, so far, on its right to international representation, despite threats that could lead to paralysis in its diplomatic activity within the United Nations in New York.
Granting Mansour a platform will not improve the lives of Palestinians, but will cause serious damage to US relations with the Palestinian Authority.
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US threats to revoke Palestinian delegation's visas to prevent 'Mansour' from running for UN post