Israeli police arrest 36 ultra-Orthodox in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM

Israeli police on Sunday arrested 36 Haredi (ultra-orthodox) Jews in Jerusalem protesting the conscription of religious school students into the Israeli army, Israel media reported on Sunday.

“The ultra-Orthodox demonstrators were arrested for blocking traffic in Jerusalem,” Israeli police said in a statement.

“The demonstrators blocked the roads near the city bus station and prevented service near the light train and blocked the city’s entrances,” it added.

The protests began in 2014 after Israel's Knesset (parliament) passed a law imposing compulsory military service on religious Jews in Israel.

Military service in Israel is compulsory in Israel for all Israeli citizens over the age of 18 who are Jewish or Druze, while Arab citizens of Israel are exempt.

The period of service for men is 32 months and for women 24 months.

Religious Jews make up about 10 percent of Israel's population, and they live in closed communities where they apply strict Jewish law in their daily lives.

JERUSALEM

Israeli police on Sunday arrested 36 Haredi (ultra-orthodox) Jews in Jerusalem protesting the conscription of religious school students into the Israeli army, Israel media reported on Sunday.

“The ultra-Orthodox demonstrators were arrested for blocking traffic in Jerusalem,” Israeli police said in a statement.

“The demonstrators blocked the roads near the city bus station and prevented service near the light train and blocked the city’s entrances,” it added.

The protests began in 2014 after Israel's Knesset (parliament) passed a law imposing compulsory military service on religious Jews in Israel.

Military service in Israel is compulsory in Israel for all Israeli citizens over the age of 18 who are Jewish or Druze, while Arab citizens of Israel are exempt.

The period of service for men is 32 months and for women 24 months.

Religious Jews make up about 10 percent of Israel's population, and they live in closed communities where they apply strict Jewish law in their daily lives.