Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein sent a personal letter to each of the Knesset's 120 members on Tuesday, asking them to refrain from personal conduct that offends their office or the Knesset's public image.
The letter was prompted by a complaint filed by several female parliamentary aides over a photo posted by MK Boaz Toporovsky (Yesh Atid) on his personal Facebook page, in which he looks like a young playboy.
Toporovsky uploaded the photo following the lengthy filibuster held in the plenum ahead of the vote on an amendment to the Religious Judges Law, mandating that women serve on the religious judges' nomination committee. The historic bill, which was vehemently opposed by ultra-Orthodox parties, passed at 4 a.m. with a vote of 33:12.
"It's 4:51 a.m. and I am going to sleep in my Knesset office for the very first time -- there is no point in going home right now... I hope it is not too painful. Good thing we have showers in our offices," Toporovsky wrote in the caption.
"Upon taking office I said that I would have a zero-tolerance policy toward any manifestation of contempt or disrespect of the Knesset," Edelstein's letter read.
"While I am glad to see that we are not there yet, I fear that day may be approaching fast. We are days from budget sessions, which are sure to be lengthy, tumultuous and exhausting. It is now that we will be scrutinized by our voters and we must serve as an example to the public."
"We must all exercise restraint and show each other and the Knesset -- our House and the home of Israeli democracy -- courtesy and respect. If we fail to observe the Knesset's decorum, no one will do it for us."
Toporovsky later wrote on his Facebook wall, "I was surprised by the circus concerning my photo, but if it led people to understand that the new MKs promoted important legislation that will see woman included in the religious judges nomination committee, then I will take the criticism with love."
"From now on," he wrote, "I will go to sleep wearing a suit."
טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו