Ultra Orthodox protest Israel's military draft bill

Protests broke out in the Israeli city of Bnei Brak today following a unanimous ruling by Israel's Supreme Court on Tuesday declaring that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for military service.

The ruling will overturn a longstanding practice under which the Jewish Haredim, the branch of Orthodox Judaism that is characterised by its strict interpretation of religious practices, is exempt from Israel's military.

Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition government relies on two ultra-Orthodox parties that regard conscription exemptions as key to keeping their constituents in religious seminaries and out of the military.

Leaders of those parties said they were disappointed with the ruling but issued no immediate threat to the government.