Israel: Ultra-Orthodox Jews Attack Woman in Beit Shemesh

A group of ultra-Orthodox extremists have attacked a woman who was putting up posters in Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem.

Israeli police said the woman was putting up posters for Mifal Hapais (Israel's national lottery) when a dozen of ultra-Orthodox men surrounded her.

They threw stones at her and slashed her tires before stealing her car keys, reports said.

Police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld told the AP it is not clear why the woman was attacked. The police official also added the victim suffered minor injuries.

Three men have now been arrested on suspicion of attacking her.

Police are searching the area for additional suspects, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The troubled town of Beit Shemesh has been the scene of increased tensions between ultra-Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews in recent months.

One of the most publicised incident highlighted the case of a young girl who said she was afraid of walking to school after being spat upon, cursed and accused of "dressing immodestly."

Following a series of attacks and more recently riots, inhabitants of Beit Shemesh took to the street last month to protests against extremism and sex segregation imposed in some of the town's public space.