Thousands of strictly Orthodox teenagers have attempted to stop the Women of the Wall from holding a service at the Western Wall.

Early on Friday morning, a police barricade stopped protesters from attacking the women who were given the legal right to pray at the wall in April. According to sources, the men were throwing rocks, water bottles and other items.

“They’re doing this to provoke us, and it’s an insult to Judaism,” said one protester.

Knesset members from Meretz, Tamar Zandberg and Michal Rozin, joined the Women of the Wall, while Likud MK Miri Regev stood in support of the protesters.

Ms Regev told reporters, “We must respect all strains of religion in Israel, but we must maintain traditional norms at the Western Wall.”

Three Charedi men were arrested for disturbing the peace with police reporting that more arrests may be made.

A statement made by the Rabbinical Assembly said: "We are shocked and horrified to see the desecration of a Jewish holy site by Jewish religious extremists. We call for a full investigation by the Israeli government."

The Women of the Wall gather monthly at the women’s section of the Western Wall to pray.