Israel set for possible fifth election in four years as PM Bennett moves to dissolve parliament

 The Prime Minister's Office said the move came "after attempts to stabilize the coalition had been exhausted." A bill would be submitted to parliament at some point next week, the statement added.

If it is passed, Lapid will become the country's fourteenth Prime Minister, in line with the original coalition agreement struck last year. It also means Israelis will be going to the polls for the fifth time in under four years.

Among the first items on Lapid's agenda, assuming he does become leader, will be preparing for the visit of US President Joe Biden next month. A senior administration official said the President's trip to the Middle East is still expected to go ahead despite the political shakeup in Israel.