Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an early election, seeking to strengthen his political position.
Opinion polls suggest Mr Netanyahu's Likud party will coast to victory in the national vote, which he said could be held within three months.
Mr Netanyahu, who has been in office since 2009, cited bickering among his partners in the governing coalition over cuts in the budget as a main reason for opting for an election.
Israel was not due to hold a parliamentary election until October 2013.
The ballot, which Israeli commentators predicted would be held in January or February, seems likely to focus on two main issues: the Israeli economy and Iran's nuclear programme.
Mr Netanyahu will remain as prime minister in a transition government when parliament dissolves itself in the coming days.
He presides over a five-party coalition government that controls 66 seats in the 120-member parliament.
