Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters took to the streets in Jerusalem to demonstrate against conscription.<br /><br />The police say the protesters hurled stones and bottles at them and set rubbish bins on fire.<br /><br />A new law which was passed last week will end their exemption from conscription which is almost as old as the state itself. <br /><br />Police on horseback pushed the protesters back and five were arrested. The demo was reportedly staged as a show of support for an ultra-Orthodox man who refused to appear at a recruitment centre.<br /><br />The sons of Israel’s secular majority serve three years mandatory military service from the age of 18.<br /><br />Ultra-Orthodox leaders say they serve their state through religious study and prayer and fear integration into the military will pose a threat to their pious way of life.
