Israel early election date set as Knesset votes on dissolution
Baku, December 3, AZERTAC
Israeli political parties have agreed to hold a general election on 17 March, two years ahead of schedule, according to BBC News.
The move was announced a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked two senior coalition partners in his cabinet, centrist leaders Yair Lapid and Tzipi Livni.
Mr Netanyahu accused the ministers of plotting against him.
On Wednesday, members of the national parliament, the Knesset, voted 84-0 in a preliminary reading to dissolve it.
The right-of-centre coalition, which was formed after the last general election in January 2013, is made up of Mr Netanyahu's Likud and four other parties.
Mr Lapid was serving as finance minister and is leader of the Yesh Atid party. Ms Livni was minister of justice and is leader of Hatnuah.
In a televised address on Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu said it was "impossible" for him to lead the current coalition, describing Ms Livni and Mr Lapid's activities as a "putsch".
"I will not tolerate an opposition within the government any more," he said.
The coalition has been fraught with tension in recent months, with both ministers publically criticising Mr Netanyahu on a number of issues.
Both ministers criticised Mr Netanyahu's decision to dismiss them and call for early elections.
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