Early Elections

Weather: Partly cloudy today, rain tomorrow

Rain is expected to fall in the early morning, mainly along the coastal plain.

Israeli elections:

Knesset agrees to vote on dissolution bill

After extended wrangling, Knesset agrees to vote on bill to schedule early elections for the fall.

Netanyahu to Gantz: This isn't the time for elections

PM addresses DM Gantz ahead of tonight's announcement: 'U-turn from politics needed for citizens of Israel.'

President to Gov't:

'Stop discourse on early elections; it's a terrible possibility'

President Reuven Rivlin calls to avoid possibility of elections: 'State of Israel is no rag doll you drag around as you squabble.'

What will happen following dramatic Israeli Left split?

Ahead of April elections, Zionist Union broke up, splitting Labor and Hatnuah.

Attorney General convenes secret meeting

Mandelblit convenes with former senior Justice officials on Netanyahu portfolios: 'Publicizing decision pre-elections our duty to public.'

Israel's 2019 elections: The country and the left's future

Israel's left appears slowly fading into political dustbin of history, as right emerges as favorite in polls.

Deri: 'We'll recommend Netanyahu as Prime Minister'

Shas Chairman: 'This is the best government we've had from social standpoint and from standpoint of status quo.'

Knesset dissolves: In pictures

MKs amuse themselves with pictures following vote to dissolve current Knesset, hold new elections.

It's final: 20th Knesset dissolved, Israel heading to elections

Knesset passes in final reading bill on its dissolution ahead of elections on April 9. Bill passed with 102 in favor, 2 against.

Bill to dissolve Knesset passes first reading

Proposal to dissolve government, go to early elections passes 104-0 in first of 3 votes.

Joint Arab List Chair: 'We'll flock to the polls in droves'

MK Ayman Odeh: 'Yes, Netanyahu, we'll go to polls in droves, and we'll increase our strength, now more than ever.'

Cabel on Barak:

'I won't go to a doctor who almost killed me twice'

Deputy Minister Tzipi Hotovely responds to Cabel's remarks: 'We don't need a campaign, Labor's already eulogizing itself.'

Hotovely: Netanyahu promised I'd be minister in next government

Deputy Foreign Minister responds to news she did not receive Absorption ministry.

'Netanyahu is all talk'

MK Smotrich: All settler requests were rejected by Netanyahu for almost four years; there's no regulation, construction, roads, or budget.

Poll: Likud with commanding lead

Likud maintains double digit lead over nearest competitor in latest survey after early elections called.

Israel's elections race hits ground running

Israel's election campaigns are on. Polls right now indicate that it will be a right-wing government again, led by the Likud once more.

President Rivlin: State more important than anyone

President Rivlin first addresses early elections saying he does not know what clarification from President PM referred to yesterday.

Moshe Ya'alon announces new party ahead of early elections

Former Defense Minister announces run for Knesset in April elections calls for new leadership to "bring hope to Israel."

Gabbay: Elections are between me and Netanyahu

Zionist Union leaders vow to 'save Israeli democracy' from Netanyahu in early elections in April.

Report: US peace plan on hold due to Israeli elections

US reportedly holding off on unveiling "deal of the century" after announcement Israel will hold early elections in April.

PM: Elections possible now that Hezbollah tunnels dealt with

Netanyahu says early elections could not be held until Hezbollah terror tunnels were neutralized.

Liberman welcomes new elections

Former Defense Minister says he will only join next coalition if it passes Draft Law in its original form.

Tourism Minister:

'There need to be good reasons to dismantle government'

Yariv Levin explains why PM refrained from deciding on elections despite coalition difficulties and calls by some ministers to dismantle it.

Kahlon: Elections will be held in March

Finance Minister believes narrow coalition will not hold, rise in interest rates to have limited impact.

Elkin: Netanyahu wants elections at their appointed time

Likud minister says PM wants elections held as scheduled - in another year. 'This government has served with 61 MKs before.'

Kahlon to Netanyahu: Best to go to elections

'In the present situation, the best thing for Israeli citizens and the Israeli economy is to go to elections as soon as possible.'

'The right could lose power'

Chairman of National Committee in Likud: Public can't tolerate ceasefire without severe response, early elections will hurt the right.

Netanyahu threatens early elections

PM says court deadline and haredi party's unwillingness to compromise of Draft Law will force government to dissolve.

Likud MK estimates: Elections will be advanced

MK Bitan: Elections likely early next year, following attempts to reach agreements with parties 'regardless of number of Knesset seats.'

'We will drink up their seats with a straw'

Likud minister says his party is not intentionally pushing for elections, but is also not afraid of the fall of the government.

Opposition seeks dissolution of Knesset

Yesh Atid, Zionist Union, and Meretz demand vote to dissolve government, hold early elections.

Poll: Likud places first with 30 seats

Poll finds Likud would win with 9-seat lead if elections were held today.

Coalition crisis

Netanyahu's Appeal to Hareidi Parties Revealed

Third report in 48 hours: PM approaches hareidi MKs - who say they want a commitment in writing. 'We don't trust Bibi anymore,' MKs say.

Speaker Edelstein: This is No Time for Elections

As Knesset opens winter term, MK Edelstein says he hopes 'common sense' will prevail over election talk.

Minister Senses a 'Smell of Elections in the Air'

Jewish Home and Yesh Atid threaten to break up the coalition over the 'peace process,' but are they just bluffing?

MKs Respond to Netanyahu's Call for Early Elections

The decision to hold early elections has been met with a range of opinions from Knesset members

Knesset Speaker: Expect Elections in Mid-February

MK Reuven Rivlin: Knesset should dissolve itself as soon as it convenes for winter term.

Netanyahu Feared Feiglin, Sources Say

The embarrassment he suffered in Likud conference pushed Netanyahu to rethink early elections.

Knesset to Dissolve Itself Within 24 Hours

The Knesset will prepare and pass a law for its own dissolution that will be passed by Tuesday.

Netanyahu: Israel Needs a Leader with Experience

Prime Minister kicks off election campaign in Likud convention, lists his government's achievements.

Reasons for Elections: Beinisch and Ahmadinejad

TV Channel 2 reporter makes clear that the election was forced by outgoing judge in Tal Law ruling.

Coalition Chairman: Elections Danger to Right Wing

MK Ze'ev Elkin: "The current coalition is the most right-wing one that I can see on the horizon."