Israel has handed back 22 ancient artefacts that were taken illegally from Greece, an exchange taking place as the two countries strengthen their relationship. Greek and Israeli officials did not say on Tuesday how the objects were found in Israel or how they had left Greece unlawfully.
The Israel Antiquities Authority’s Theft Prevention Unit located the pieces, according to Pninat Yanay, Israel’s ambassador to Greece. Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received the objects from the authority at a ceremony held at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Attic and Corinthian vases among returned Greek antiquities
The collection comprises 15 Attic vases, six Corinthian vases and a bronze female statuette. The objects date from between 700 BC and 320 BC.
Mendoni said the handover was the first of its kind from Israel to Greece and could mark the start of closer joint work on protecting cultural heritage. She added that every return of a cultural item to its original location carries wider symbolic and moral weight.
Ties grow through energy, defence and heritage deals
Yanay said the return had laid the groundwork for stronger cooperation between the two nations. Greece and Israel have expanded energy and defence links in recent years.
In August, Israel signed a $3.5bn defence contract to build a multi-layered air defence system in Greece, known as the Achilles Shield. It is the largest defence agreement between the two countries and one of the most significant export deals in Israel’s recent history.
