Polling to take place on 22 January 2013 after Binyamin Netanyahu failed to push through austerity budget

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Israel's parliament has voted to dissolve itself ahead of early national elections set for 22 January 2013.

The speaker of the Knesset, Reuven Rivlin, made the announcement late on Monday after a long day of political speeches and debates that ended in a unanimous vote.

The prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, had said last week that he would order elections, months ahead of time, because the parliament could not agree on a new austerity budget.

Israeli leaders launched harsh attacks on one another during a parliamentary debate that preceded the vote, setting the parameters for what is likely to follow in the campaign. Netanyahu boasted of his achievements, while the opposition heckled and insulted him mercilessly.