Intense American pressure to force Palestine to withdraw its nomination for a high UN post

Leaked diplomatic reports have revealed that the American administration is exerting severe pressure on the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations, reaching the point of direct threats to impose visa restrictions. These moves aim to compel the Palestinian side to withdraw from competing for the position of Vice-President of the United Nations General Assembly in its upcoming session.

An internal cable from the US State Department showed clear instructions to diplomats to inform the Palestinian side that this nomination is unacceptable. Washington considered that Palestine's accession to this position contributes to fueling regional tensions and creates obstacles to the proposed peace plans for the Gaza Strip.

The American administration, in its message, hinted at the possibility of canceling visa facilities granted to members of the Palestinian delegation in New York. The cable indicated that Washington might be forced to reconsider previous decisions taken in September 2025, which had lifted visa sanctions on appointed officials in the mission.

Sources confirmed that Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour is facing an organized campaign to prevent him from assuming any leadership role within the General Assembly. Washington fears that this position would grant Palestine the ability to manage sensitive sessions related to the Arab-Israeli conflict during high-level meetings.

Mansour was previously forced to withdraw his nomination for the position of President of the United Nations General Assembly in February due to similar pressures. However, the American administration believes that the Vice-President position, despite being less prestigious, still represents a political risk that allows Palestinians to chair sessions of the eighty-first session.

The American cable warned of 'worst-case scenarios' that could involve the Palestinian side managing international discussions on the Middle East during the high-level week. Washington considers that this representation grants Palestine international legitimacy that exceeds its current status as a non-member observer state in the international organization.

For its part, a spokesperson for the US State Department declined to comment on the details of visa records, citing the privacy of these legal procedures. However, he stressed at the same time the United States' commitment to the UN Headquarters Agreement, while maintaining a firm political stance towards Palestinian moves.

No official comment has been issued by the Palestinian Mission in New York regarding these threats or the next steps concerning the nomination. A state of anticipation prevails in diplomatic circles awaiting the official Palestinian reaction to these pressures, described as 'political blackmail'.

Elections for the presidency of the General Assembly and the sixteen vice-presidents are scheduled to take place on June 2nd, amidst sharp polarization. Member states are monitoring the extent of the American intervention's impact on the results of these elections, which will determine the shape of the international administration for the next session.

Washington relies in its pressure on the fact that the Palestinian Mission does not have full voting rights within the 193-member General Assembly. The American administration exploits this legal situation to impose procedural and political restrictions that limit the effectiveness of Palestinian diplomatic action in international organizations.

Observers believe that this step reflects the Trump administration's desire to tighten control over the international agenda related to the Palestinian issue. Washington seeks to ensure that no UN platform deviates from the American vision for a solution in the region, especially in light of the ongoing war in Gaza.

Threatening to re-impose visa sanctions represents a retreat from previous understandings that aimed to facilitate the work of diplomats at the headquarters of the international organization. This shift reflects an escalation in the tools Washington uses to obstruct any Palestinian diplomatic progress on the global stage.

If the nomination is maintained, the Palestinian Mission may face logistical and legal difficulties in managing its work from within US territory. The question remains about the ability of the international community to protect the independence of UN work from direct interventions by host countries.

To be clear, we will hold the Palestinian Authority responsible if the Palestinian delegation does not withdraw its nomination for the position of Vice-President of the General Assembly.