Is Netanyahu headed for setback in Israel election? No Trump endorsement yet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a potential setback in the upcoming October 27 parliamentary elections, according to a pre-election survey. The poll, published by The Times of Israel's Hebrew sister site, Zman Yisrael, shows Likud trailing former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot's opposition Yashar party, which is expected to secure 25 seats if elections were held today—four more than Likud's projected 21 seats.

Overall, the poll indicates little change in the projected strength of the pro- and anti-Netanyahu blocs, with Eisenkot's Yashar projected to win 58 seats and Netanyahu's parties projected to secure 50 seats. Eisenkot's Yashar party, along with center-right B’Yachad, hawkish Yisrael Beytenu, and left-wing Democrats, form the anti-Netanyahu bloc.

The report also detailed US President Donald Trump's reaction to Netanyahu's visit to the White House in July. Trump described Netanyahu as his "own worst enemy" and refrained from endorsing him, citing his weak standing in the polls. However, Trump remains personally fond of Netanyahu and has urged Israel's president to "fully pardon" him or halt the corruption trial against him.

In response to the growing challenge from Eisenkot, Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, is reportedly considering providing him with an armed security detail, despite the former IDF chief not being entitled to state protection.