Ultra-Orthodox Jews protest against Israel’s military service ruling

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men block a main road during a protest against army recruitment in Bnei Brak, Israel, on Thursday (Oded Balilty/AP)

Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men blocked a major road in central Israel for two hours on Thursday to protest against a recent Supreme Court decision ordering young religious men to enlist for military service.

Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel. But politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have won draft exemptions for their followers that allow them instead to study in religious seminaries.