Eleven ultra-Orthodox Jews from a radical sect have been arrested after thousands blocked roads in Jerusalem in a protest against serving in the Israeli military.
Monday’s protest was the latest by the Peleg Yerushalmi group after some of its members were arrested when they did not go through procedures for military draft exemptions granted to the ultra-Orthodox community.
Police used a water cannon and a foul-smelling spray known as ‘skunk’ to disperse protesters and arrested 11 people.
Members of the Israeli security forces spray water as they try to remove ultra-Orthodox Jews from blocking the road in a demonstration against Israeli army conscription in Jerusalem on
Monday’s protest in Jerusalem was the latest by the Peleg Yerushalmi group after some of its members were arrested when they did not go through procedures for draft exemptions granted to the ultra-Orthodox community
Many ultra-Orthodox oppose military service for their young men because they believe it exposes them to influences and temptations not found in the insular world of prayer and religious study
Police used a water cannon and a foul-smelling spray known as ‘skunk’ to disperse protesters and arrested 11 people during the protest
Many watched from a bridge above as thousands of ultra-Orthodox men protested the Israeli army draft in Jerusalem on Monday
Several thousand ultra-Orthodox Jews blocked the main entrance to Jerusalem and protested in other areas as part of a series of demonstrations against serving in the Israeli military
In Monday’s protests, men in black hats and side locks mobbed intersections in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood , preventing public buses and cars from moving.
A series of such protests in recent weeks has been spurred by occasional arrests of ultra-Orthodox young men accused of dodging military service.
On Thursday, police arrested 120 demonstrators after a major intersection was blocked as part of a string of protests throughout the day.
‘Police units mobilised in different areas of Jerusalem to respond to illegal demonstrations by right-wing ultra-religious demonstrators,’ police said in an English-language statement.
Police said protestors in the ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighbourhood had blocked streets and set fire to garbage bins, using them as flaming barricades.
In Monday’s protests, men in black hats and side locks mobbed intersections in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood , preventing public buses and cars from moving
A series of such protests in recent weeks has been spurred by occasional arrests of ultra-Orthodox young men accused of dodging military service
Members of the Israeli security forces try to remove ultra-Orthodox Jews from blocking the road as they demonstrate against Israeli army conscription in Jerusalem
Ultra Orthodox Jewish youths scuffle with Israeli police officers during a protest against their enlistment in the army at the entrance to Jerusalem
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man lies on the road as security forces try to remove him during Monday’s demonstration in Jerusalem
On Thursday, police arrested 120 demonstrators after a major intersection was blocked as part of a string of protests throughout the day
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators hold banners and shout slogans during a protest against Israeli army conscription outside the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in Jerusalem
Israeli TV showed footage of some men spitting and pushing a woman while yelling obscenities at her at a recent protest.
Exemptions have long caused friction in Israeli society as most Jews are drafted after high school for three years.
After reaching the age of 18, men must serve two years and eight months, and women must serve for two.
Ultra-Orthodox men are exempt from military service if they are engaged in religious study, but must still report to the army to receive their exemption.
Those who are not exempt must enlist with the military and can be arrested if they refuse.
In September, a decision by Israel’s supreme court struck down the law exempting them.
Exemptions to the Israeli army have long caused friction in Israeli society as most Jews are drafted after high school for three years
ltra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators block the entrance to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, during a protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem
In Israel, after reaching the age of 18, men must serve two years and eight months in the military, and women must serve for two years
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrator points towards an Israeli policeman during a protest against Israeli army conscription outside the Knesset (Israeli parliament)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with Israeli border policemen while trying to block a road during a protest in Jerusalem on Thursday
Several thousand ultra-Orthodox Jews blocked the main entrance to Jerusalem and protested in other areas as part of a series of demonstrations against serving in the Israeli military
Ultra Orthodox Jewish youths sit on the road during a protest against their enlistment in the army outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem. The sign reads ‘We say no’
However, the court suspended its ruling for one year to allow for preparations for a new arrangement, also giving the government time to pass a new law.
The ruling raises the possibility that the ultra-Orthodox could be forced into service, a highly contentious proposition with political implications.
Ultra-Orthodox parties are a key part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition and have often acted as kingmakers in Israeli politics.
The ultra-Orthodox are against serving for a variety of reasons.
Some do not recognise Israel, believing a Jewish state is not allowed before the coming of the Messiah.
Others argue that seminary study is just as important to Israel as military service, or that ultra-Orthodox soldiers would be confronted with salty language and other irreligious behaviour.
Ultra-Orthodox men are exempt from military service if they are engaged in religious study, but must still report to the army to receive their exemption. Those who are not exempt must enlist with the military and can be arrested if they refuse
In September, a decision by Israel’s supreme court struck down the law exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews. However, the court suspended its ruling for one year to allow for preparations for a new arrangement, also giving the government time to pass a new law
Ultra-Orthodox parties are a key part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition and have often acted as kingmakers in Israeli politics. The ultra-Orthodox are against serving for a variety of reasons
Some ultra-Orthodox Jews do not recognise Israel, believing a Jewish state is not allowed before the coming of the Messiah. Others argue that seminary study is just as important to Israel as military service, or that ultra-Orthodox soldiers would be confronted with salty language and other irreligious behaviour
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with Israeli border policemen while trying to block a road during a protest in Jerusalem on Monday
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men take part in a demonstration against Israeli army conscription on Monday by blocking roads into Jerusalem
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators watch from a bridge as their fellow protestors block a main road in Jerusalem during a protest against Israeli army conscription