(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />Israeli police said that approximately 10,000 ultra
