The protesters blocked the main road into Jerusalem to hold a prayer demonstration against the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men into military service.
According to the Times of Israel and Haaretz, hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis are participating in the protests.
The protesters are reported to have thrown plastic bottles and other objects at reporters at the scene, and security guards have locked the doors to the central bus station after a brawl and chaos.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who wants the Orthodox to serve in the military, comments on the demonstration, according to Haaretz:
If you can march in the streets, you can march in the military training camps.
The issue of military service for ultra-Orthodox men has recently caused great tension within Israel's ruling right-wing coalition. Many ultra-Orthodox Israelis believe military service is incompatible with their lifestyle.
Most Jewish men and women in Israel must serve mandatory military service at the age of 18. But the ultra-Orthodox have previously been granted exemptions for full-time studies in religious seminaries – a source of criticism from the more secular population.
