Israeli ultra-orthodox protest against army draft

Israeli government plans to enlist 5,200 ultra-orthodox Jews – previously exempt from the draft – by mid-2017

Ultra-orthodox Jewish protestors
(Image credit: DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images)

HUNDREDS of thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews blocked streets in Jerusalem on Sunday in protest against plans to conscript members of their community for Israeli military service.

The proposed bill will lift a longstanding exemption that has been in place since Israel's foundation, protecting seminary students from the national draft.

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