Jerusalem, Nov 17: Intel Corp's new plant in Israel has run into trouble with the ultra-Orthodox Jews as hundreds of members from the community gathered outside the plant agitating against the work taking place in the plant on the Jewish Sabbath which runs from Friday night to Saturday night.

Police were forced to step in and disperse the crowd protesting against the blasphemy as similar protests in the past have led to street violence.

A spokesperson for Intel said that Intel was operating within the law and would continue to do so.

"Intel has been operating in Jerusalem for 24 years and therefore this plant does not represent a change to the status quo," spokesman Koby Bahar said, adding that the plant would operate in "accordance with our business needs and the law, including on Saturdays."

Intel, the world's biggest chip manufacturer, opened the west Jerusalem plant for installation work before its inauguration. With a workforce of 150 employees, the new plant will prepare dies as part of the wafer production.

Apart from the fact that Intel Israel is one of country's largest exporters, Intel also operates four research and development centres in the country.

OneIndia News