Orthodox Jews protest at army ruling

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and boys turned out in Jerusalem yesterday (Getty Images)

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and boys turned out in Jerusalem yesterday to protest against the replacement of a legal provision that exempts ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students from Israel's mandatory military service regime.

The Tal Law was declared unconstitutional by the Israel's High Court in February, and is due to expire in August. The demonstrations focused on the city's Sabbath Square, with many dressed in sacks as a sign of mourning.