Israel votes to dissolve parliament two years early

TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Israel's Knesset -- the country's parliament -- voted on Monday to dissolve itself two years early after months of political rivalries and tension.

The unicameral legislative body voted 93 to 0 to officially dissolve itself and hold elections March 17.

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, prior to the vote, said members of Knesset should respect one another and democracy.

The move came days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired two top ministers and called for a dissolution of the coalition government.

Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni were fired last week after forming a leftist front against Netanyahu and threatened to form an alternative coalition.

"In recent weeks, including the last day, the ministers Lapid and Livni have sharply attacked the government I lead," Netanyahu said. "I will not tolerate any more opposition from within the government, I will not tolerate ministers attacking the policy of the government and its leader from within the government."