Ultra-Orthodox protests over draft law spread across Israel

Ultra-Orthodox Jews have staged protests across Israel against military conscription, with police using stun grenades to disperse demonstrations in Jerusalem.

The issue remains politically sensitive, with the community opposing enlistment while courts have pushed for mandatory service to be enforced.

Recent arrests of yeshiva students accused of draft evasion have fuelled the unrest, including protests in Ashkelon.

“It is unacceptable what they are doing to yeshiva students as if they were the worst criminals,” one protester said.