Israeli MPs vote on parliament dissolution

Israeli lawmakers voted on Wednesday to advance a bill submitted by the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which would dissolve parliament and pave the way for early elections.

In a preliminary reading, 110 out of 120 lawmakers voted in favour and none against, while the rest did not cast their vote. The bill will now pass to a committee before three more parliamentary readings. If the bill is ultimately approved it would automatically trigger elections to be held after 90 days. Polls are currently scheduled to take place by the end of the legislative term on October 27.

Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties, while his fractious right-wing coalition appears to be facing possible collapse.