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Israeli lawmakers unanimously voted Monday to dissolve parliament, officially ending the legislature's term two years ahead of schedule and kicking off the country's election campaign ahead of a March 17 nationwide vote.

A week after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government dramatically disintegrated, the 120-seat Knesset voted 93-0 favor of disbanding and ending one of the shortest-serving parliaments in Israeli history.

Early polls show Netanyahu likely returning to power. But a growing coalition of anti-Netanyahu factions threatens to depose the longtime leader.

Israel's government, which took office in early 2013, had been riven by divisions from the outset over major issues facing the country. Netanyahu's fractious center-right Cabinet had been bickering for weeks over the budget, a housing tax break and a bill that would enshrine into law Israel's status as a Jewish state.

Netanyahu is looking to secure a fourth term as premier by increasing support for his hardline Likud Party. He hopes to secure a strong majority for a "national bloc" that includes his traditional allies of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's nationalist Yisrael Beitenu faction and the hardline Jewish Home party, which is strongly linked to the West Bank settler movement. This bloc tends to take a tougher approach to peace talks with the Palestinians.

In the last vote, the parties earned a combined 61 out of 120 seats in parliament. The majority proved too slim for Netanyahu to rule effectively and he was forced to reach out to two centrist parties, Yesh Atid and Hatnuah, to shore up his majority. Netanyahu's feuds with these parties led to his decision to fire their ministers and call a new election.

Hatnuah leader Tzipi Livni appears to be on the brink of sealing an alliance with Isaac Herzog and his center-left Labor party. A poll published Monday showed the potential joint list surging past Likud to become the largest party in the next Knesset. But it would still likely need the support or either Lieberman or the ultra-Orthodox for Herzog to replace Netanyahu as prime minister.

Quote (Yakir @ 9 Dec 2014 15:52)

Actually , according to this media in Israel the right wing is getting stronger .

Quote (Yakir @ Dec 9 2014 10:52am)

Actually , according to the media in Israel the right wing is getting stronger .

Quote (killg0re @ Dec 9 2014 10:58am)

If Israelis voted in Israel like they do when they're in America then Netanyahu wouldn't be in power.

Quote (Skinned @ Dec 9 2014 10:00am)

That is because Israel =/= Jewish People.

Hell, it isn't even a Jewish state anymore with all the Palestinians living in the ever growing boarders.

Quote (killg0re @ Dec 9 2014 11:08am)

Israel, in it's very definition is Jewish, the whole state is based on a Jewish identity, their very essence and nationality is that of the Jew, don't disenfranchise their nation with your anti-semitism, immigrants and Palestinian invaders are not apart of the great state of Israel, despite their unwanted looming threat and presence.

If you wanted to explain their difference in voting, it is because Jewish folks are not tourists in Israel, they are in their rightful homeland. They have to vote based on their needs there and cannot afford the mistakes of a weak leader, Netanyahu leads Israel into glory and reflects the strong character that Israelis embody and admire.

Quote (Skinned @ Dec 9 2014 10:14am)

Lol, metaphysical garbage.  The modern, secular state of Israel, isn't the homeland of the Jews.  It is an artificial state created by Western powers after WW2.  We haven't burnt our history books yet, and you can't revise wikipedia enough times to make it otherwise 

Quote (killg0re @ Dec 9 2014 11:22am)

Next you will be telling me Judaism is just a spectrum and their beliefs are relatives on the rainbow of peace & love, it is all subjective man, they aren't really Jews. They're all humans of the nation Earth, planet to the one united peoples, maybe we can all hold hands long enough for some Palestinian radicals to make more tolerance rockets, you know, to help accommodate Israelis on every spectrum of the Walt Disney fantasy land bullshit you're sourcing your replies from.

Israel, as it was created and exists now is a Jewish state, and until it is dissolved or their situation changes, it will always be like this or it will cease being known as Israel.