As from next month, security officials at the Knesset have been instructed not to permit legislators to wear clothing deemed "provocative".

As well as short skirts, offending clothing will include low-cut and sleeveless shirts, as well as tight-fitting garments.

Communications minister Limor Livnat, of the ruling Likud Party, doubted the new rule could be effectively enforced.

"What are they going to do, walk around with rulers to measure the length of skirts?" she told Israeli television as she walked through the Knesset in a mini-skirt.

'Serious complaints'

Knesset speaker Dan Tichon said he had decided to introduce the new rule in light of "serious complaints" from legislators.

Mr Tichon did not name the lawmakers in question, but among Orthodox Jews - who comprise at least one fifth of Israel's 120 Knesset members - women are expected to refrain from wearing revealing clothing.

The Knesset enforced a similar ban on sandals in the early 1980s.

The regulation provoked similar derision until Knesset guards began turning away offending legislators.