Tuesday night, many Israelis were glued to their TV sets.<br/> <br />In a prime time news conference, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he sacked his finance and justice ministers, announced plans to dissolve parliament, and opened the way for early national elections.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:<br/> <br />"A short while ago, I instructed the cabinet secretary to issue dismissal letters to ministers Livni and Lapid. Therefore, and due to the necessity of ensuring a stable and proper conduct of government, I decided to push forward legislation to dissolve the Knesset and go to election as soon as possible."<br/> <br />Netanyahu's government has been unraveling over an array of issues … including the budget and a bill to codify the Jewish national identity that critics say discriminates against Arab Israelis.<br/> <br />Tuesday's announcement signals the breakup of his bickering coalition government, which came to power only last year.<br/> <br />But for s
