Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Rally For Gender Separation

JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews are protesting in Jerusalem to defend their contentious effort to ban the mixing of the sexes on buses, sidewalks and other public spaces.

These practices are rejected by mainstream Judaism and efforts by a minority group to impose its lifestyle on others has provoked anger among secular Israelis and among the wider ultra-Orthodox community.

In one city near Jerusalem, radical ultra-Orthodox recently accosted school girls and spit at women and children they believe are dressed immodestly. That prompted a large protest rally.

Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled against segregation.