Dozens of demonstrators protested Friday in the central Israeli city of Bnei Brak, blocking major roads to demand equal military service obligations and the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim.
The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth said dozens of secular Israelis and members of left-wing organizations, including the group “Mothers at the Front,” took part in the protest against exemptions granted to Haredim from mandatory military service.
The protesters marched in Bnei Brak, a stronghold of the ultra-Orthodox community, calling for equality in conscription and an end to exemptions for students enrolled in religious seminaries.
Israeli Channel 12 reported clashes between protesters and local residents amid a heavy deployment of Israeli police forces.
The protest came two days after thousands of Haredim took part in vehicle convoys on Wednesday from 19 cities toward Military Prison No. 10 near Kfar Yona in central Israel, protesting the detention of draft evaders and causing major traffic disruptions on key roads.
