RAMALLAH, West Bank – The next international showdown over "Palestine" seems inevitable, with President Mahmoud Abbas determined to seek U.N. General Assembly recognition of statehood for his homeland despite U.S. and Israeli objections.

However, the possibility of repercussions abroad has sparked a growing debate in the leader's inner circle over the timing of such a call, and whether it should be delayed until after the U.S. presidential election.

Abbas leans toward waiting until after the November vote to avoid further strain with the Obama administration, aides have said, while senior figures in the Palestine Liberation Organization and Abbas' own Fatah movement on Thursday called for quicker action.