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Ultra-Orthodox Jews opposed to Israeli compulsory military service hung effigies of religious soldiers Monday in a Jerusalem neighbourhood, with police denouncing the move as incitement.
A number of effigies of ultra-Orthodox Jews serving in the army were hanged from the neck in prominent places in the ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighbourhood.
One of them had a sign attached which read "hardak out," a derogatory term for ultra-Orthodox Jews who join the army.
There was no claim of responsibility for the hangings, but Israeli police said in a statement they took "extremely seriously" any attempt "by religious (ultra-Orthodox) to incite against soldiers."
Security forces took several hours to remove the effigies, with large crowds gathering and cheering their failures.
Military service, two years and eight months for men and two years for women, is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews represent about 10 percent of the Israeli population and live in compliance with a strict interpretation of Jewish laws.
Some of them view military service as a source of temptation for young people who then leave the closed world of prayer and religious study.
Last month there were major protests in ultra-Orthodox areas across Israel, with more than 30 people arrested.
The demonstrations were apparently triggered by the arrest of an ultra-Orthodox youth who refused to attend an army recruitment post to enrol in military service.
The ultra-Orthodox are exempt if studying in yeshivas (religious schools), though the issue is controversial with secular Israelis and attempts have been made to remove the exemption.
Either way they must register at the recruitment office but some, inspired by rabbis hostile to any cooperation with the Israeli authorities, refuse to and are considered deserters.
On Monday, those who hang mannequins of soldiers in Mea Shearim were taking advantage of the Purim festival, which sees participants party and dress up.
Jack, an ultra-Orthodox, who watched as firemen struggled to reach one of the effigies, said most members of his community did not agree with whoever hung the mannequins.
"But we understand their position and we definitely think the police are overreacting," said Jack, who did not give his surname.
He explained that many ultra-Orthodox don't believe that the state of Israel is holy as they are waiting for the return of the messiah.
"So therefore there is no reason to fight for it (Israel)," he said.
Purim, which ends later Monday, celebrates the saving of the Jewish people from a king in the ancient Persian empire.
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