Netanyahu reportedly asked Haredi parties to call off draft protests

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked roads and clashed with police during protests against arrests over military draft orders.

At least three protesters were arrested.

A TV report said Netanyahu asked ultra-Orthodox party leaders to call off the protests, but they said the Jerusalem Faction organized them and they could not stop them.

The protests have made the issue of military service exemptions a focus of political debate ahead of the October 27 election.