Israel to hold snap polls next year

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, was dissolved after the two main parties in its unity government failed to meet a deadline in a row over state budgets last night.

Israel will now hold its fourth elections in two years in March next year, just 12 months after the last round.

Two previous elections were inconclusive, resulting in a rare government of national unity.

Israel's parliament was automatically dissolved as required by law after a deadline to



pass the 2020 state budget expired.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former election rival, Defence Minister Benny Gantz, established a unity government in May in the wake of three inconclusive elections held since April 2019.

The two men have shared power since April in an uneasy coalition, agreeing to rotate as prime minister, with Mr Netanyahu holding office first before a scheduled handover to Mr Gantz in November 2021.