BBC News with David Austin

Thousands of Israelis have been taking part in a rally to condemn the behaviour of ultra-Orthodox Jews who want to enforce segregation between men and women. The Israeli President Shimon Peres said a minority in Israel was acting outrageously. Jon Donnison was at the rally in Beit Shemesh.

By early evening, thousands of demonstrators had gathered in Beit Shemesh. There was anger at the growing influence of Israel's conservative ultra-Orthodox Jews and, in particular, their treatment of women. Local girls, some as young as eight, have been harassed supposedly for dressingimmodestly. At tonight's rally, there was something of a party atmosphere, but many Israelis believe the country's character is at stake. The Israeli government - so often critical of religious extremism in Islamic countries - has ordered a crackdown on intolerance at home.