Knesset dissolves itself ahead of March elections

Israel’s parliament voted to dissolve itself on Monday ahead of an early general election on March 17. The move was brought on by a political crisis instigated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissal of two ministers.

Almost immediately campaigning began with Tzipi Livini, justice minister before her sacking from Netanyahu’s coalition, urging others to take the opportunity to change the leadership.

“The decision … [to call the election] was the prime minister’s alone and came as a result of his fearing other ministers. But it’s a decision which should be viewed as an opportunity to replace him.”

Election’s were not due for another two years but the government had been deeply split over a number of issues such as a law declaring Israel a purely Jewish nation.

However opinion polls indicate that Likud and Netanyahu with his tough stance towards the Palestinians, will be re-elected, although they will have to align with another party to form a government.