According to a State Department cable reported on by National Public Radio, the United States is considering denying visas to Palestinian diplomats at the United Nations, including Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour, who is running to become one of the General Assembly’s 21 vice presidents.
The cable says Mansour “has a history of accusing Israel of genocide,” and assesses that his vice-president bid “fuels tension.” It adds: “A bully pulpit for Mansour would not improve the lives of Palestinians and would significantly damage U.S. relations with the PA [Palestinian Authority].”