Four ultra-Orthodox men charged over recent anti-draft protests

Charges are filed against four ultra-Orthodox men who took part in recent violent protests over a draft dodger.

The four are charged with assaulting police officers and creating a public disturbance. Prosecutors are asking for them to be held until the end of proceedings against them.

A small section of the ultra-Orthodox community has been protesting this week against the police detention of a Haredi man arrested for failing to appear at a draft office.

Many in the ultra-Orthodox community shun the mandatory military service that applies to most Israelis, and the community has historically enjoyed blanket exemptions in favor of religious seminary studies. But some in the religious community refuse to even appear at the recruiting office to request such exemptions in protest against the state.