JERUSALEM, March 14, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli police shut down on Tuesday the maps department at the Arab Studies Society located in Beit Hanina, East Jerusalem, and arrested its director, Khalil Tafakji, according to local sources.  

Police said the department will be shut down for six months under the pretext that it is affiliated with the Palestinian Authority.

Police also confiscated the department’s machines and documents.

A statement by Israeli police said Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan signed the shutdown order himself. The statement claimed the maps department monitored cases of real estate sales to Israelis by Palestinians.

Commenting on the shutdown, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described it as a blatant violation of the agreements signed between the Israelis and Palestinians.

M.N./M.K.