RAMALLAH, November 20 (JMCC) - Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is biding his time, hoping for a change in the political climate that currently threatens both his leadership and the Palestinian cause, writes The National.

All his options are difficult because all would involve some degree of conflict with Israel and the US at the same time, said George Giacaman, a professor in Birzeit University's democracy and human-rights programme.

Mr Abbas tried to forge an independent agenda following the collapse of last year's peace negotiations with Israel, hoping to extricate the Palestinians from two decades of failed US-sponsored peacemaking efforts.

Putting him in direct confrontation with Israel and Washington, in retrospect, seems to be a decision that was doomed to fail.

Hani Masri, an independent Palestinian political analyst, said Mr Abbas was now waiting for any development that can rescue him from this situation.

Despite a burst of support among Palestinians for seeking full membership of the UN in September, lobbying by Washington has stalled Mr Abbas's initiative.

Financially, too, his hands have been tied by Israel's refusal to distribute about US$100 million (Dh367.3m) of PA tax revenues as punishment for the Palestinians joining Unesco last month.

Serious doubts also surround Mr Abbas's ability to follow through on his May reconciliation accord with Hamas without incurring a crippling suspension of the substantial financial aid Washington provides.