Israeli police detain 23 religious Jews for protesting

<p>By Abdelraouf Arnaout</p> <p>JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli police on Thursday detained 23 religious Jews after they staged demonstrations in West Jerusalem against compulsory military service.</p> <p>According to a police statement, the arrests were carried out after “scores of protesters blocked roads and traffic, undermining security”. </p> <p>All Israelis must perform compulsory military service at the age of 18. </p> <p>Under current Israeli law, however, religious Jews — who ostensibly engage in “full-time religious studies” — are exempted from serving.</p>