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Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protested in Jerusalem on Thursday (May 16) against plans to enlist men from their community into the military, saying that they would refuse to serve.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government has committed to increase drafting ultra-Orthodox men, most of whom receive exemptions on religious grounds, in order to share the national burden and reduce pressure on the middle classes.
The party of Finance Minister Yair Lapid, Netanyahu's main coalition partner, received wide support at the polls in January on a ticket of a more even share of commitments to the state such as military service and paying taxes.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews make up some 10 percent of a population of 8 million. They do not work, receive military service exemptions and rely heavily on state subsidies for their religious studies and their large families.
Israeli police said that approximately 10,000 ultra
