Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews have protested in Jerusalem against plans to enlist men from their community into the army.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said at least 20,000 protesters took part in Thursday's rally near the city's military draft bureau.
About a dozen arrests were made when violence erupted and men hurled bottles and stones at officers, some on horseback, who used stun grenades to quell the unrest.
A water cannon was also deployed as protesters set alight rubbish bins, a regular occurrence at ultra-Orthodox demonstrations. At least six officers required medical treatment and two were taken to hospital, Rosenfeld added.
Rabbis warned protesters that army service would irreparably harm their way of life.
"The government wants to uproot [our traditions] and secularise us, they call it a melting pot, but people cannot be melted. You cannot change our [way of life]," Rabbi David Zycherman told the crowd.
An Israel Radio commentator said the participants came from the most hardline elements of the ultra-Orthodox community who shun any compromise with the authorities on army service, and even refuse to recognise Israel for religious reasons.
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