The meeting comes amid pressure on Netanyahu to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and put an end to a wave of violence -- including Palestinian gun, knife and car-ramming attacks -- that has raised fears over the potential for a new Palestinian uprising.

More than 70 Palestinians, an Arab-Israeli and nine Israelis have lost their lives since the start of October.

Obama has previously criticized Netanyahu for sending mixed signals over his commitment to a two-state solution and may press him on the issue.

Netanyahu on Sunday said he planned to discuss with Obama the conflict in Syria and "possible progress with the Palestinians, or at least stabilizing the situation with them."

However, US officials say the president has lost any hope of a major peace accord being reached between the Israelis and Palestinians before he leaves office in January 2017.

Netanyahu, who arrived in Washington on Sunday and is expected back in Israel on Thursday, is also due to meet members of Congress and representatives from North American Jewish organizations. 

On Monday, he will receive an award from the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.

He will also address the left-leaning Center for American Progress in what some analysts see as an attempt to improve relations with Democrats.

Source: AFP