Israeli groups, Palestinians challenge controversial East Jerusalem settlement plan

Palestinian residents and three Israeli rights groups have filed an urgent petition with an Israeli court seeking to freeze a tender for the construction of 1,234 illegal settlement units under the controversial E1 plan in occupied East Jerusalem, Anadolu reports.

The petition was filed Thursday with the Jerusalem District Court by rights groups Ir Amim, Bimkom and Peace Now, together with Palestinian community members, according to a statement issued by Ir Amim.

Petitioners asked the court to issue an interim order suspending the first tender under the E1 plan — which was published this week – for the construction of 1,234 housing units east of Jerusalem.

They also requested the court to halt publication of additional tenders, or any other […]