Israeli lawmakers advance bill to hold early elections

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's coalition agreed on Monday to dissolve parliament and hold elections in April, but lawmakers must approve the step. It is expected to pass easily later on Wednesday.

The parliament, or Knesset, voted 104 to zero in favour of the bill in the first of three readings.

Netanyahu's coalition was left with a one-seat majority after defence minister Avigdor Lieberman stepped down in November over a controversial Gaza ceasefire deal.

Party leaders have failed to agree on a key bill regulating drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews to the army, and that was the immediate reason to move toward elections.

Analysts, however, say that Netanyahu wanted the elections before Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announces his decision on whether to indict the premier in three different corruption cases.

While no official timeframe has been given, reports say such an announcement could come in mid-April.

With politicians now entering campaign mode, Netanyahu met in Jerusalem on Wednesday with leaders of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and made his pitch for why they should stick with him. 

Netanyahu's current coalition is seen as the most right-wing in Israel's history.

"We'll see an attempt by the left-wing to overthrow our rule with the help of the media and others," he said. 

"They can't succeed, because if they do - that will pose a clear danger to the settlement movement."

Calling on their support in the elections, Netanyahu told the settler leaders they should not take the fate of their enterprise for granted.

"We had to work hard, with the current American administration as well, for the great achievements we brought the settlements," he said in remarks relayed by his office.

While Netanyahu portrays himself as the champion of the settlements, settler leaders say he has not done enough, with three prominent heads of West Bank settlements boycotting the Wednesday meeting in protest.

Key members of his coalition are however strong settlement backers and oppose a Palestinian state.

Tumultuous campaign

Netanyahu is under mounting pressure over a series of corruption investigations into his affairs.

Police have recommended his indictment in three different probes and the attorney general is considering how to proceed.

Netanyahu is however not required to step down if indicted - only if he is convicted with all appeals exhausted - and polls have indicated his Likud party would remain the largest in parliament after new elections.

Some analysts believe he would be better positioned to face potential charges with a fresh electoral mandate.

Netanyahu has been prime minister for a total of more than 12 years, from 1996 to 1999 and again since 2009.

He could next year surpass the record set by Israel's founding father David Ben-Gurion, who spent more than 13 years in office.

The upcoming election campaign is sure to be tumultuous, with Netanyahu's opponents likely seeking to erode his reputation as Israel's "Mr. Security".

The premier's electoral appeal has rested in large part on his security credentials, which took a hit over the Gaza ceasefire that his right-wing rivals opposed.

At the same time, Israel's centre-left opposition has been in disarray and may find it difficult to mount a serious challenge to Netanyahu and his right-wing partners.

Netanyahu has also benefited from strong backing from US President Donald Trump's White House.

In his comments on Monday, the premier cited Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem Israel's capital and move the US embassy there - a major victory for Israel.

No Israeli government has served out its full term in some 30 years.

Agencies contributed to this report.

Follow us on Twitter: @The_NewArab