(Fox) Israeli lawmakers were set to vote Wednesday on a motion to dissolve the Knesset, a preliminary step that will pave the way for early elections two years ahead of schedule.
Israel’s government, which took office in early 2013, has been riven by divisions from the beginning over the major issues facing the country. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin 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.
Yuli Edelstein, the speaker of Israel’s parliament, said party representatives had agreed on March 17 as the election date. In a procedural step, the date must still be approved by each party.