Israeli is to go the polls for a national election in September, more than a year before a vote was due to take place.
Following speculation earlier this week that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to announce an earlier date, the election has now been scheduled for September 4.
Israelis will choose representatives for the 120 seats in the Knesset under Israel's proportional representation party list system.
Polls must be held every four years in Israel, but early elections are common and Mr Netanyahu is likely to have chosen the date in order to build on his Likud Party's current strong position.
