Israel Lawmakers Vote to Dissolve Knesset

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.

• Arab-Jewish School Torched in Apparent Arson Attack

• Netanyahu's Cabinet Moves to Define Israel as Jewish

• Israeli Cop Charged Over Palestinian Youth's Death

— Paul Goldman and Alexander Smith