An Orthodox Israeli soldier has been attacked by a group of Charedi men in Jerusalem.

According to police reports, the soldier, who was in uniform, was visiting a friend in the religious suburb of Mea Shearim on Monday. He was attacked by a dozen local residents on the street and was forced into hiding, where he called the police for assistance.

The Orthodox attackers threw stones at the police when they arrived on the scene. Four men were arrested for disturbing the peace.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a statement promising to “take a hard stand against those who attempt to strike fear in citizens fulfilling their duty to the state”.

It is believed that the attack was in response to a new military draft law, approved by the Israeli government on Sunday, which aims to conscript members of the strictly Orthodox community.