Ultra-Orthodox Jews attack Jerusalem buses over ad promoting female worship

JERUSALEM - The Associated Press

In this June 9, 2013 file photo, an Israeli member of the 'Woman of the Wall' organization (R) tries to hug an ultra-Orthodox woman as they pray at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalem's old city. AP Photo

Israeli police say dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews have attacked buses with ads promoting female worship at a Jerusalem holy site Oct. 21.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Tuesday that the incident happened the previous night, when about 50 men slashed tires and pelted the buses with stones in Mea Shearim, a religious neighborhood of Jerusalem.

The ads are from the Women of the Wall group, which promotes gender equality at Jerusalem's Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray.

They show women and girls holding Torah scrolls - an act many Orthodox Jews believe is reserved for men.

In the incident, the extremists also spray-painted the words "end the obscene pictures" on a bus.

Religious extremists have faced criticism for their efforts to separate women and men in public places.