TEL AVIV — Israeli lawmakers voted unanimously to dissolve the country's parliament Wednesday, a preliminary move to help usher in early elections amid a spiraling political crisis.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has unraveled in recent days, brought to its knees by a parade of issues which have stymied political progress over the government's 22-month existence. Netanyahu on Tuesday called for elections two years ahead of schedule and sacked two Cabinet ministers. Members of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, on Wednesday voted 83-0 to disperse itself. Early elections have been scheduled for March 17.