JERUSALEM, Dec. 25-- Israeli ruling coalition's decision on Monday to dissolve the parliament and hold early elections has led the country into a three-month rocky election campaign, as incumbent Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu is under investigation over corruption allegations. A decision by the Israeli attorney general on whether to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looming, although no specific date has been set. Heads of Netanyahu's six coalition parties issued a statement on Monday, saying they "unanimously agreed" to dissolve the Knesset (parliament) and go for early elections. The parliament is expected to disperse on Wednesday and the elections will be held on April 9, 2019. The surprise announcement came after it became apparent that Netanyahu's narrow coalition could not secure a vote on a contentious law about drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli military. For months, there has been speculation that the Israeli leader will bring forward the elections originally scheduled for November 2019. Political analysts said Netanyahu prefers to head to the polls while being still under investigation rather than already indicted, as some of his coalition partners have vowed to demand his resignation once he is under indictment. "The prime minister understands that the noose around his neck is tightening," said Zehava Galon, former member of parliament and former head of the left-wing Meretz party. |