Ultra-Orthodox Jews lose grave battle in Israel

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A heavily guarded operation to dig up ancient graves to make way for a new hospital emergency room on Sunday stirred up traditional tensions between Israel's Jewish secular majority and ultra-Orthodox minority.

Police ,said they arrested 15 religious protesters outside Barzilai hospital in the coastal town of Ashkelon, where plans to build a treatment facility that could withstand rocket attack from the Gaza Strip turned into a political battle in Israel.