WASHINGTON D.C. (REUTERS) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington ahead of talks with U.S. President Barack Obama, who is expected to seek the PM's re-commitment to a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

Rare agreement between two long-bickering leaders may actually be in the cards when Netanyahu and Obama meet on Monday (Nov 9) for the first time since the signing of the Iran nuclear deal.

Their White House talks will be an important step towards a new US military aid package that could burnish the right-wing prime minister's security credentials, now challenged by a wave of Palestinian stabbing and shooting attacks.

The meeting, the first between the two leaders in 13 months, could also underpin Obama's assurances that he has Israel's back and help deflect accusations from Republican presidential hopefuls that he and any Democrat successor are less pro-Israel.

But Israeli-Palestinian peace, a goal that has eluded Obama during his two terms, will likely take a back seat to a reaffirmation of strategic ties, though aides say he will still press the Israeli leader for steps to help keep alive the possibility of a two-state solution for any future negotiations.