By Mia De Graaf PUBLISHED: 16:27 EST, 2 March 2014 | UPDATED: 09:59 EST, 3 March 2014 Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews brought Jerusalem to a stand-still by taking to the streets in protest against a new bill that will force them into mandatory army conscription. More than 300,000 demonstrators held a mass prayer in the city centre as just 3,500 police were drafted in to control the outcry. It comes as Israel grapples with a cultural war over the place of the ultra-Orthodox in Israeli society, with the issue of army service is at the core of that struggle.
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300,000 took part in prayer against draft bill to abolish ultra-Orthodox exemption from compulsory military service
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Jewish leaders unusually permitted women and children to attend rally calling for protection of religious traditions
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Topic was a major issue in last year's election, leading to voters electing centre-right government that supports the bill
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Experts claim it is a bid by leaders to integrate ultra-Orthodox into society and workforces to boost economy
Since 1948, when @placeholder was founded, seminary students have been permitted to dedicate themselves to their studies to keep the traditions alive