Election Date Set in Israel

Israeli elections will take place on January 22, 2013, according to an announcement made by the Israeli cabinet on Sunday.

Analysts speculate the early elections were timed to take advantage of the prime minister's Likud party's strong showing in popular polls.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he decided to call for early elections because of difficulties in forming an agreement with coalition partners on the 2013 budget.

Elections were originally scheduled for fall 2013.