Police disperse ultra-Orthodox in Jerusalem anti-draft protest

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews arrive at the IDF draft office in Jerusalem and attempt to disrupt the proceedings by blocking the entrances and shouting at people inside, police say.

They also tried to stop traffic on Rashi Street where the offices are located.

Police arrived at the scene and dispersed the protesters.

Last month police arrested hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters in similar protests, in which thousands of hardline anti-draft demonstrators took to the streets to protest the arrest of two yeshiva students for failing to show up to the Israel Defense Forces draft offices.

Earlier this year, the High Court of Justice struck down a law exempting ultra-Orthodox men engaged in religious study from military service, saying it undermined equality. The decision raises the possibility that they could be forced into service, a highly contentious proposition with political implications.

— Raoul Wootliff

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