Israeli parliament lifts dress code after protest over short skirt ban

The Israeli parliament has suspended its dress code rules, reports say, after staffers protested against a ban on skirts deemed too short.

Around 30 women demonstrated at the entrance to the Knesset on Wednesday Dec 14,2016 in defiance of the ban, posing for news cameras wearing above-the-knee skirts or dresses.

The women were supported by a man wearing a skirt over his trousers and a member of parliament who stripped down to his undershirt

Workers said security at the Knesset had strictly enforced rules on the length of skirts recently, banning colleagues from entering the building.

Speaker Yuli Edelstein said the measure came after mounting complaints over alleged inappropriate clothing.

A joint team will look at the rules and decide how they should be implemented

The group looking into the rules will be made up of male and female lawmakers and aides.

In October, the parliament's administrative director sent around a letter reminding everyone of the dress code.

It prohibits T-shirts, shorts, sandals and short dresses or skirts, but does not specify a length, leaving the issue open to interpretation.