American Influence Pushes Palestinian Leaders to Relinquish UN Vice-Presidential Bid
The American embassy located in Jerusalem has been directed to convince Palestinian leadership to abandon their pursuit of a high-ranking role within the United Nations general assembly. The concern being that this position could give Palestinians the power to preside over significant debates regarding the Middle East.
The formal protest (or demarche) was issued to the leaders of the Palestinian Authority by the embassy, with a clear message - withdraw their bid for the vice-presidential role of the general assembly or face the consequences.
The current American administration, which has consistently opposed steps towards Palestinian statehood, is applying pressure on the Palestinian observer mission at the UN to relinquish their bid for one of the 16 vice-presidential roles on the general assembly. These positions are set to be elected soon along with the president of the assembly for the upcoming year-long session. The US mission has persistently urged the Palestinians to step down.
Potential Implications of Palestinian Vice-Presidency
In the event of unfavorable outcomes, the new president of the general assembly might aid the Palestinians in leading important sessions on the Middle East during a week of high-level assemblies. This week, set for September in New York, is filled with summits and speeches by leaders from around the world.
The Palestinians seek this role as part of a group slate from the Asia-Pacific region. Despite the vice-presidential role being less high-profile than the presidency, it was noted that vice-presidents have the authority to supervise general assembly sessions.
The experienced Palestinian diplomat, Riyad Mansour, withdrew his candidacy for general assembly president earlier in the year following American lobbying. Washington interpreted this move as Mansour recognizing the seriousness of the issue and showing an intent to cooperate.
Concerns Over the Palestinian Authority's Priorities
However, the bid for vice-presidency has raised eyebrows, suggesting that the Palestinian Authority might be prioritizing "symbolic appointments" over genuine engagement. This move is seen as undermining the current administration's Comprehensive Plan - a 20-point proposal for Gaza's reconstruction involving the creation of the Board of Peace.
The warning was clear: a platform for Mansour would not enhance the lives of Palestinians and would cause significant harm to US relations with the Palestinian Authority. The message further emphasized that if the Palestinian delegation did not withdraw its vice-presidential bid, there would be consequences.
Two specific threats were suggested. The first recalled an incident where visas for Palestinian officials were denied and revoked by the current administration, only to be waived a few days later for officials already assigned to the mission. The second was a veiled threat to revoke the visas of the Palestinian UN mission.
Financial Consequences for Palestinian Authority
Additionally, if the Palestinians were found not to be "engaging in good faith without internationalizing disagreements in courts," they would face difficulties in reclaiming tax and customs revenue owed to them but withheld by the Israeli government. These funds, which make up 60% of the Palestinian Authority’s revenue, have been mostly blocked since the beginning of the Gaza war by Israel’s far-right finance minister. The minister, who has been under scrutiny for his role in expanding settlements and displacing Palestinians in the West Bank, has called for the dismantling of the authority.
Despite these serious allegations and threats, no specific crimes were mentioned, and no comment was provided by the state department.
The American embassy located in Jerusalem has been directed to convince Palestinian leadership to abandon their pursuit of a high-ranking role within the United Nations general assembly. The concern being that this position could give Palestinians the power to preside over significant debates regarding the Middle East.
The formal protest (or demarche) was issued to the leaders of the Palestinian Authority by the embassy, with a clear message - withdraw their bid for the vice-presidential role of the general assembly or face the consequences.
The current American administration, which has consistently opposed steps towards Palestinian statehood, is applying pressure on the Palestinian observer mission at the UN to relinquish their bid for one of the 16 vice-presidential roles on the general assembly. These positions are set to be elected soon along with the president of the assembly for the upcoming year-long session. The US mission has persistently urged the Palestinians to step down.
Potential Implications of Palestinian Vice-Presidency
In the event of unfavorable outcomes, the new president of the general assembly might aid the Palestinians in leading important sessions on the Middle East during a week of high-level assemblies. This week, set for September in New York, is filled with summits and speeches by leaders from around the world.
The Palestinians seek this role as part of a group slate from the Asia-Pacific region. Despite the vice-presidential role being less high-profile than the presidency, it was noted that vice-presidents have the authority to supervise general assembly sessions.
The experienced Palestinian diplomat, Riyad Mansour, withdrew his candidacy for general assembly president earlier in the year following American lobbying. Washington interpreted this move as Mansour recognizing the seriousness of the issue and showing an intent to cooperate.
Concerns Over the Palestinian Authority's Priorities
However, the bid for vice-presidency has raised eyebrows, suggesting that the Palestinian Authority might be prioritizing "symbolic appointments" over genuine engagement. This move is seen as undermining the current administration's Comprehensive Plan - a 20-point proposal for Gaza's reconstruction involving the creation of the Board of Peace.
The warning was clear: a platform for Mansour would not enhance the lives of Palestinians and would cause significant harm to US relations with the Palestinian Authority. The message further emphasized that if the Palestinian delegation did not withdraw its vice-presidential bid, there would be consequences.
Two specific threats were suggested. The first recalled an incident where visas for Palestinian officials were denied and revoked by the current administration, only to be waived a few days later for officials already assigned to the mission. The second was a veiled threat to revoke the visas of the Palestinian UN mission.
Financial Consequences for Palestinian Authority
Additionally, if the Palestinians were found not to be "engaging in good faith without internationalizing disagreements in courts," they would face difficulties in reclaiming tax and customs revenue owed to them but withheld by the Israeli government. These funds, which make up 60% of the Palestinian Authority’s revenue, have been mostly blocked since the beginning of the Gaza war by Israel’s far-right finance minister. The minister, who has been under scrutiny for his role in expanding settlements and displacing Palestinians in the West Bank, has called for the dismantling of the authority.
Despite these serious allegations and threats, no specific crimes were mentioned, and no comment was provided by the state department.
