Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill to dissolve parliament and hold early elections on April 9 and it was expected to be finalised later in the evening.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 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.

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.&nbsp;

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.&nbsp;

"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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition agreed on Monday to dissolve parliament and hold elections in April, but lawmakers must approve the step.

Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill to dissolve parliament and hold early elections on April 9 and it was expected to be finalised later in the evening. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 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. 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.

Israeli lawmakers advance bill to hold early elections

Israeli Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-in-crucial-talks-as-he-resists-snap-polls-178042">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> denounced calls for snap elections as "irresponsible" in an impassioned televised address on Sunday and vowed to push on despite a coalition crisis threatening to bring down his government.

As the nation looked on for word on whether Israel was headed for early polls, Netanyahu used the prime-time address to defend his security credentials and make the case for why he wants to hold his coalition together.

"The security of the country is above political considerations," Netanyahu said while insisting that calling elections now would be "irresponsible".

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-under-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-key-dates-177545">Israel under prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, key dates</a>

But even as he prepared to speak, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, a key coalition partner and one of Netanyahu's main right-wing rivals, announced he would give his own statement on Monday morning.

Bennett's far-right Jewish Home party has threatened to withdraw from Netanyahu's coalition if he is not given the defence portfolio.

Netanyahu said in his address that he intended to retain the defence portfolio at least for now.

He also spoke of his military experience and said he could not publicly explain in detail the sensitive security moves currently being taken by Israel.

"We will defeat our enemies and I do not minimise the challenges that are facing us," he said, speaking from Israel's defence headquarters in Tel Aviv.

The longtime premier made the appearance as he came under pressure over a controversial ceasefire deal last week that ended the worst escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since a 2014 war.

'Rabbit or a hat'

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman resigned over the ceasefire, throwing the government into crisis and leading to speculation that early elections had become inevitable.

After Lieberman's withdrawal along with his Yisrael Beitenu party, Netanyahu's government was left clinging to a one-seat majority in the 120-seat parliament.

Key coalition partners say that is unworkable even though elections are not due until November 2019.

Netanyahu spoke Sunday night after a crucial meeting with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon on resolving the coalition crisis.

Kahlon's office said earlier that his meeting with Netanyahu ended without a conclusion and they would meet again later in the week.

In a sign of a possible agreement being worked out, a spokesman for Netanyahu's Likud party said the premier would "decide on the appointment of ministers in the coming days," but provided no further details.

Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu sought to portray business as usual, meeting with the military chief of staff, his incoming successor and the head of the internal security agency Shin Bet, the Likud spokesman said.

He also held the weekly cabinet meeting as usual.

Kahlon said before his meeting with Netanyahu that he did not think it was possible to continue with the existing coalition.

"If (Netanyahu) pulls a rabbit out of his hat, we'll see," the finance minister, whose centre-right Kulanu party holds 10 seats, told Israeli television Saturday.

"Meanwhile, I don't see a rabbit or a hat."

On Saturday, Bennett, whose Jewish Home has eight seats, told Israeli television that Lieberman had "collapsed the government".

"There is no more government and we are heading towards elections," he said.

'Senseless to continue'

Bennett declined to comment to journalists when entering Sunday's cabinet meeting, but Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of his Jewish Home party said in a statement that making him defence minister was "the only justification" to keep the government together.

Netanyahu met Bennett on Friday, but conflicting reports emerged.

A source close to Bennett said the two had agreed that "it would be senseless to continue" with the same coalition.

Within minutes, a statement from Netanyahu's Likud said that was wrong.

The crisis was set into motion with Lieberman's resignation over the ceasefire, which he labelled "capitulating to terror".

He also slammed Netanyahu's recent decision to allow Qatar to send millions of dollars in aid to the blockaded Palestinian enclave.

Israeli residents of southern communities hit by barrages of rockets from Gaza last week have also protested, calling for tough action against Hamas, with which Israel has fought three wars since 2008.

A poll published after the ceasefire found 74 per cent of respondents were unhappy with Netanyahu's handling of the escalation with Gaza and its Islamist rulers Hamas, though it also showed his party would still easily win the most seats.

There has long been speculation that the premier may call elections before they are due, particularly with police having recommended charges against him in two corruption probes.

The attorney general is expected to decide in the coming months whether to pursue charges against him, and some analysts believe he would be better positioned to combat them with a fresh electoral mandate.

But Netanyahu would want to make such a move at the most advantageous time and likely not with public attention focused on the Gaza ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced calls for snap elections as "irresponsible" in an impassioned televised address on Sunday and vowed to push on despite a coalition crisis threatening to bring down his government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced calls for snap elections as "irresponsible" in an impassioned televised address on Sunday and vowed to push on despite a coalition crisis threatening to bring down his government. As the nation looked on for word on whether Israel was headed for early polls, Netanyahu used the prime-time address to defend his security credentials and make the case for why he wants to hold his coalition together. "The security of the country is above political considerations," Netanyahu said while insisting that calling elections now would be "irresponsible". Also read: Israel under prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, key dates But even as he prepared to speak, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, a key coalition partner and one of Netanyahu's main right-wing rivals, announced he would give his own statement on Monday morning. Bennett's far-right Jewish Home party has threatened to withdraw from Netanyahu's coalition if he is not given the defence portfolio. Netanyahu said in his address that he intended to retain the defence portfolio at least for now. He also spoke of his military experience and said he could not publicly explain in detail the sensitive security moves currently being taken by Israel. "We will defeat our enemies and I do not minimise the challenges that are facing us," he said, speaking from Israel's defence headquarters in Tel Aviv. The longtime premier made the appearance as he came under pressure over a controversial ceasefire deal last week that ended the worst escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since a 2014 war. 'Rabbit or a hat' On Wednesday, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman resigned over the ceasefire, throwing the government into crisis and leading to speculation that early elections had become inevitable. After Lieberman's withdrawal along with his Yisrael Beitenu party, Netanyahu's government was left clinging to a one-seat majority in the 120-seat parliament. Key coalition partners say that is unworkable even though elections are not due until November 2019. Netanyahu spoke Sunday night after a crucial meeting with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon on resolving the coalition crisis. Kahlon's office said earlier that his meeting with Netanyahu ended without a conclusion and they would meet again later in the week. In a sign of a possible agreement being worked out, a spokesman for Netanyahu's Likud party said the premier would "decide on the appointment of ministers in the coming days," but provided no further details. Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu sought to portray business as usual, meeting with the military chief of staff, his incoming successor and the head of the internal security agency Shin Bet, the Likud spokesman said. He also held the weekly cabinet meeting as usual. Kahlon said before his meeting with Netanyahu that he did not think it was possible to continue with the existing coalition. "If (Netanyahu) pulls a rabbit out of his hat, we'll see," the finance minister, whose centre-right Kulanu party holds 10 seats, told Israeli television Saturday. "Meanwhile, I don't see a rabbit or a hat." On Saturday, Bennett, whose Jewish Home has eight seats, told Israeli television that Lieberman had "collapsed the government". "There is no more government and we are heading towards elections," he said. 'Senseless to continue' Bennett declined to comment to journalists when entering Sunday's cabinet meeting, but Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of his Jewish Home party said in a statement that making him defence minister was "the only justification" to keep the government together. Netanyahu met Bennett on Friday, but conflicting reports emerged. A source close to Bennett said the two had agreed that "it would be senseless to continue" with the same coalition. Within minutes, a statement from Netanyahu's Likud said that was wrong. The crisis was set into motion with Lieberman's resignation over the ceasefire, which he labelled "capitulating to terror". He also slammed Netanyahu's recent decision to allow Qatar to send millions of dollars in aid to the blockaded Palestinian enclave. Israeli residents of southern communities hit by barrages of rockets from Gaza last week have also protested, calling for tough action against Hamas, with which Israel has fought three wars since 2008. A poll published after the ceasefire found 74 per cent of respondents were unhappy with Netanyahu's handling of the escalation with Gaza and its Islamist rulers Hamas, though it also showed his party would still easily win the most seats. There has long been speculation that the premier may call elections before they are due, particularly with police having recommended charges against him in two corruption probes. The attorney general is expected to decide in the coming months whether to pursue charges against him, and some analysts believe he would be better positioned to combat them with a fresh electoral mandate. But Netanyahu would want to make such a move at the most advantageous time and likely not with public attention focused on the Gaza ceasefire.

Netanyahu denounces calls for Israel snap polls as 'irresponsible'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will hold a "decisive" meeting Sunday with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon in a final bid to avert early elections.

Netanyahu's ruling coalition was left with a single seat majority in parliament after a walkout Wednesday by defence minister Avigdor Lieberman and his hawkish Yisrael Beitenu party.

Lieberman quit over a Gaza ceasefire deal, which on Tuesday ended the worst flare-up between Israel and the territory's Islamist rulers Hamas since a 2014 war.

Kahlon's centre-right Kulanu party holds 10 parliamentary seats and is vital to the survival of Netanyahu's ruling coalition.

While the next elections are currently scheduled for November 2019, Kahlon has called for polls to be held "as soon as possible".&nbsp;

"I'm going to meet Moshe Kahlon before the weekly minister's council Sunday for one last attempt to convince him not to bring down the government," Netanyahu, who heads the Likud party, said Saturday on Twitter.

"We can't bring down a right-wing government. All members of Likud want to continue serving the state for another year."

Kahlon, however, told Israel's Channel 2 Saturday evening that he did not think it was possible to keep a coalition going with such a slim majority.&nbsp;

"We have to act responsibly," he said.&nbsp;

Netanyahu held crunch talks on Friday with Education Minister Naftali Bennett, whose religious nationalist Jewish Home party has also threatened to quit unless he is given Lieberman's job.

The party's eight lawmakers are another crucial component of the premier's razor-thin parliamentary majority.

Netanyahu said Friday he was temporarily taking over the defence minister post.

Bennet on Saturday told Israel's second channel that Lieberman had "collapsed the government, there is no more government and we are heading towards elections - there is no other alternative".

"We have agreed with Moshe Khalon that there is no more government," he said.&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will hold a "decisive" meeting Sunday with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon in a final bid to avert early elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will hold a "decisive" meeting Sunday with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon in a final bid to avert early elections. Netanyahu's ruling coalition was left with a single seat majority in parliament after a walkout Wednesday by defence minister Avigdor Lieberman and his hawkish Yisrael Beitenu party. Lieberman quit over a Gaza ceasefire deal, which on Tuesday ended the worst flare-up between Israel and the territory's Islamist rulers Hamas since a 2014 war. Kahlon's centre-right Kulanu party holds 10 parliamentary seats and is vital to the survival of Netanyahu's ruling coalition. While the next elections are currently scheduled for November 2019, Kahlon has called for polls to be held "as soon as possible". "I'm going to meet Moshe Kahlon before the weekly minister's council Sunday for one last attempt to convince him not to bring down the government," Netanyahu, who heads the Likud party, said Saturday on Twitter. "We can't bring down a right-wing government. All members of Likud want to continue serving the state for another year." Kahlon, however, told Israel's Channel 2 Saturday evening that he did not think it was possible to keep a coalition going with such a slim majority. "We have to act responsibly," he said. Netanyahu held crunch talks on Friday with Education Minister Naftali Bennett, whose religious nationalist Jewish Home party has also threatened to quit unless he is given Lieberman's job. The party's eight lawmakers are another crucial component of the premier's razor-thin parliamentary majority. Netanyahu said Friday he was temporarily taking over the defence minister post. Bennet on Saturday told Israel's second channel that Lieberman had "collapsed the government, there is no more government and we are heading towards elections - there is no other alternative". "We have agreed with Moshe Khalon that there is no more government," he said.

Israel's Netanyahu to hold 'decisive' meeting on coalition in last bid to avoid early elections