Hundreds of Israelis have taken to the streets of Jerusalem Al-Quds to protest what they call the religious coercion of extremist Jews.

A 'secular majority' Saturday condemned the extremist minority that is pressuring residents to shutter all businesses on the Sabbath -- Saturday, held to be the day of rest and prayer in the Jewish religion.

The protesters said the city belongs to everybody and the ultra-Orthodox Jews must not dictate how to run it.

Police said hundreds marched in the predominantly Jewish western section of Jerusalem Al-Quds, holding placards reading "We are sick of (religious) coercion".

The ultra-Orthodox have staged protests on an almost weekly basis, in what appears to be an attempt by some rabbis to reassert influence after a religious mayor lost a hotly contested 2008 election, Reuters reported.

MGH/JG/DT