Israeli police have clashed with ultra-Orthodox Jews <br />angry at cuts in funding to their theological schools and a crackdown on those trying to avoid military service.<br /><br />Protests were held across the country.<br /><br />In the southern city of Ashdod, one soldier told the demonstrators what he thought of them.<br /><br />“I have not seen my wife and my four-month-old baby boy for two weeks,” he shouted. “Join the army. Be a man there, not here!”<br /><br />Demonstrators were sprayed with water as they danced defiantly in the streets of Ashdod.<br /><br />Water cannon was also used to disperse a crowd blocking the main road to Jerusalem. In all, some three dozen people were arrested.<br /><br />Military service is compulsory for most Israelis.<br /><br />The government has backed moves to end a practice which has exempted tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews who were in full-time religious study. <br /><br />New legislation has not been completed but authorities are toughening enforcement of the existing law.
