A group of Israeli and foreign peace activists have asked the High Court of Justice for a declaration allowing them to conduct a peace march across Jerusalem into the Old City.
They claimed the Jerusalem district police command originally approved the march but later revoked its permit.
More than 100 members of the group, most of them foreign visitors, were detained Sunday for disobeying police orders to disperse after they were barred from marching into the West Bank.
They said after release from jail Tuesday that they were still determined to march through the West Bank despite warnings to desist from illegal activities.
The group, which includes nationals of some 20 countries, was brought to Israel by the Hadash Communist Party, allegedly with funds provided by the Palestine Liberation Organization.
They joined about 200 Israeli peace advocates who submitted the petition to the High Court on Wednesday.
The activists aroused the ire of Israeli right-wingers who demanded their expulsion. But Israeli officials decided against that for fear of international repercussions.
The Interior Ministry announced nevertheless that it would advance the expiration date of the visas of anyone who disobeyed the law. Staying in Israel beyond the term of their visas would subject them to automatic expulsion.
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