Israel’s parliament voted to dissolve itself on Monday ahead of an early general election on March 17. The move was brought on by a political crisis instigated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissal of two ministers.<br /><br /> Almost immediately campaigning began with Tzipi Livini, justice minister before her sacking from Netanyahu’s coalition, urging others to take the opportunity to change the leadership.<br /><br /> “The decision … [to call the election] was the prime minister’s alone and came as a result of his fearing other ministers. But it’s a decision which should be viewed as an opportunity to replace him.”<br /><br /> Election’s were not due for another two years but the government had been deeply split over a number of issues such as a law declaring Israel a purely Jewish nation.<br /><br /> However opinion polls indicate that Likud and Netanyahu with his tough stance towards the Palestinians, will be re-elected, although they will have to align with another party to form a government.