Benjamin Netanyahu is not performing well in the polls ahead of Israel's October 27 election, despite an aide's claim to President Trump. Trump has not yet endorsed Netanyahu, though he has been repeatedly asked. Netanyahu's coalition is projected to win fewer seats than currently held or needed to form a government. His primary goal is to prevent opponents from forming a government, which could leave him as caretaker prime minister. Trump's initial inclination to endorse Netanyahu changed as the war in Iran stalled, and their foreign policy goals diverged. Trump has expressed frustration with Netanyahu's decisions, referring to him as his "own worst enemy." A recent point of tension was Netanyahu's public rejection of Trump's Gaza Board of Peace plan, though Netanyahu later promised to give it a chance. Opposition figures have urged Trump to remain neutral, fearing an endorsement would benefit Netanyahu. Trump's popularity in Israel has recently declined due to his Iran deal and limitations on Israeli military operations. Despite praising Netanyahu as a "great wartime prime minister" in the past tense, Trump has consistently avoided a direct endorsement. The Israeli election is crucial for Trump's Middle East agenda, including the Gaza peace plan and regional security agreements, as his administration seeks to avoid a repeat of past diplomatic delays caused by Israeli political instability.