US threatens visa crackdown over Palestinian UN leadership push

US President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly threatened to revoke visas for members of the Palestinian UN delegation unless Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour withdraws his candidacy for vice president of the UN General Assembly.

According to an internal State Department cable, Washington warned that the Palestinian bid could “fuel tensions,” undermine Trump’s Gaza peace initiative, and create a scenario in which Palestinian representatives could preside over sensitive UN sessions involving Israel and the Middle East.

The cable reportedly warned the Palestinian Authority that the US could reconsider visa waivers previously granted to Palestinian diplomats in New York if the candidacy continues.

The move highlights growing tensions between Washington and the Palestinian leadership as the Trump administration pushes forward with its broader postwar Gaza and regional normalization strategy.