WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in President Obama what might be a new chapter in the 60-year relationship between Israel and the United States . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Obama visit at the White House on Monday . Based on interviews with U.S. , Israeli and Arab diplomats , no one expects a drastic change in the relationship -- the Obama administration wo n't waiver from the traditional unshakable commitment to Israel 's security . But the Obama administration seems to have a different view from Israel -- and previous U.S. administrations -- on how that security is best achieved . Observers think this administration -- Obama , National Security Adviser Gen. Jim Jones and Middle East envoy George Mitchell in particular -- are predisposed to be tougher on Israel than the Bush administration was . Israelis are concerned the special strategic relationship between the United States and Israel could be in jeopardy . Because Obama has made clear he thinks a Palestinian state better serves Israel 's and the United States ' security , there were expectations of a showdown between him and Netanyahu . Netanyahu came to Washington refusing to commit to a two-state solution and instead talked of a `` Palestinian entity '' with promises of beefed-up economic development . Arab states and the United States have said that 's not a substitute for a true Palestinian state . Because of the good will and enhanced credibility the election of Obama has brought the United States around the world , he can ask for more , and expect more , on this issue . The United States is working with Jordan 's King Abdullah to `` sequence '' the Arab initiative , a plan proposed by then-Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah in 2003 and endorsed by the Arab League . Under the plan , all Arab states would normalize relations with Israel after it returns former Palestinian , Syrian and Lebanese territories . The United States wants Israel and the Arab countries to take simultaneous steps toward peace . For instance , if Israel halts settlement activity or removes outposts , the Arabs could take any number of steps , such as opening trade offices in Israel or allowing telecommunications or air travel between Israel and Arab countries . There is a long list of potential moves and different Arab countries are considering steps from the list . Some are more willing to participate than others . We will probably hear more about this in the coming weeks as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visit Washington later this month . Netanyahu has also made clear one of his main priorities is dealing with the threat posed by Iran 's nuclear program ; he 's said that if the United States ca n't eliminate the threat through talking , Israel will do so militarily . He also has threatened to halt progress on the Palestinian issue until the United States takes meaningful steps to curb Iran . The United States has made clear that such threats are a nonstarter . Netanyahu 's position is to solve Iran first and then Israel can deal with Palestinian peace . The United States wants the Israelis to make peace with the Palestinians and it will deal with Iran at the same time . In fact , Washington believes progress on the Palestinian issue could rally Arab support for dealing with Iran . Israeli diplomats said Netanyahu is not going to provoke a confrontation with Obama and they expected him to announce some immediate steps to improve the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank , including removing illegal settlement outposts . However , Netanyahu made no such announcement during a brief photo opportunity with Obama . Netanyahu was expected to make a statement supporting the idea of a Palestinian state , but most analysts said he would stop short of a full endorsement . Again , sitting next to Obama , Netanyahu spoke of a scenario in which `` Israel and the Palestinians live side by side in dignity , security and in peace , '' but he did n't mention a Palestinian state . No breakthroughs were expected . Monday 's meeting was largely expected to be a chance for the two sides to discuss their positions rather than iron out differences . Some might see this as Obama being tougher on Israel , but others say it 's an evenhandedness that has n't been seen from recent U.S. administrations . In short , it seems the Obama administration is going to use more of a tough-love approach to Israel , rather than just automatically siding with it . CNN 's Jill Dougherty contributed to this report .
No one expects a drastic change in U.S.-Israel relationship . But Obama has different approach from past administrations . Observers think Obama team is predisposed to be tougher on Israel . Whether Palestinians or Iranians get attention first is at issue .