Ultra-Orthodox join mass protest over conscription in Jerusalem
Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews took to Jerusalem's streets for a mass prayer vigil yesterday in protest at plans to conscript their young men for Israeli military service.
Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews took to Jerusalem's streets for a mass prayer vigil yesterday in protest at plans to conscript their young men for Israeli military service.
Men and boys representing the three major streams - Lithuanian, Hassidic and Sephardi - were united in a rare show of power against impending legislation that could change their legal status in the Jewish state.
Bearing signs with slogans such as "War on religion" and "We will not join the military", the masses took part in a prayer led by a cantor through huge loudspeakers set up at Jerusalem's main road in and out of the city.
We are united. We will win in the end. The Torah will win
Yaakov Biton, 28, a resident of the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, said he and the rest of his peers from his theological seminary came to Jerusalem "to show that we are not afraid of the criminal sanctions. We are united".
He said: "We will win in the end. The Torah will win."
Police said "hundreds of thousands" were taking part in the demonstration, which saw major disruption of traffic.
About 3,500 officers were deployed to maintain order.