Israeli lawmakers approve motion to dissolve Knesset

PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a motion on Wednesday, Dec 3, to dissolve the Knesset in a preliminary vote, paving the way for early elections after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to iron out differences with coalition partners, the Associated Press reports.

Israel's government, which took office in early 2013, has been riven by divisions from the beginning over major issues facing the country. On Tuesday, Netanyahu fired two rebellious Cabinet ministers and called for elections, plunging the country into a bitter campaign set to culminate in polls early next year.

Wednesday's vote in the 120-member Knesset, which passed 84-0 with one legislator abstaining, was an initial step. Further votes are expected next week that will officially disband the parliament and usher in new polls.

If the upcoming parliamentary votes pass as expected, the current legislature will have served for one of the shortest periods in the country's history.

The elections are expected to be held on March 17 — two years ahead of schedule — and early polls show Netanyahu's Likud party leading with about 22 seats.

"The coming elections are about one question, who will lead the government amid the huge challenges that Israel faces?" Netanyahu told a Likud party meeting. "The Likud is the only party that should be considered."

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog said his center-left Labor party would "do everything to bring change and hope to Israel."

Labor, a traditional force in Israeli politics that has lost support in recent years, is poised to pull in 13 seats, according to the early polls.