The Israeli High Court has temporarily suspended demolition orders targeting around 50 commercial establishments in Al-Eizariya, east of occupied Jerusalem.
The St Yves Society said in a statement on Sunday that lawyers Nusrat Dakour and Haitham Khatib had submitted an urgent appeal that resulted in an immediate court decision postponing the demolitions.
According to the organisation, shop owners received verbal notices last Wednesday ordering them to vacate their premises ahead of planned demolitions on Sunday morning.
The statement said most of the businesses had not received formal demolition notices beforehand, while some owners were already represented by private legal counsel.
St. Yves said urgent legal action was taken to protect residents’ rights to object and defend themselves through legal procedures.
The petition argues that Israeli authorities lack the legal basis to proceed with demolitions without first issuing official notices and allowing business owners the opportunity to submit permit applications and legal objections under the Jordanian laws still applicable in the area.