An unsuspecting passerby was sent flying by an Israeli police "skunk cannon" in Jerusalem on Sunday.

The innocent woman was trying to cross the street when security forces, who were deployed to disperse a group of protesting ultra-Orthodox Jews, fired the cannon into the back of her head.

The powerful torrent of water knocked the woman off her feet and sent her flying several meters, while demonstrators continued their protest.

Israeli police arrested 36 people protesting the conscription of religious school students into the Israeli army.

"The ultra-Orthodox demonstrators were arrested for blocking traffic in Jerusalem," Israeli police said in a statement.

"The demonstrators blocked the roads near the city bus station and prevented service near the light train and blocked the city's entrances," it added.

The protests began in 2014 after Israel's Knesset (parliament) passed a law imposing compulsory military service on religious Jews in Israel.

Military service is compulsory in Israel for all citizens over the age of 18 who are Jewish or Druze, while Arab citizens of Israel are exempt.

The period of service for men is 32 months and for women 24 months.

Religious Jews make up about 10 percent of Israeltarget="_blank"'>