Israel returns 22 stolen ancient artefacts to Greece
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Israel transferred 22 ancient artefacts to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens on Tuesday (13). The report describes this as the first return of this kind between the two countries.
The group includes 15 Attic vases, six Corinthian vases and a bronze statuette depicting a woman. The objects date from 700 BC to 320 BC. They were taken unlawfully from Greece and later recovered by the Theft Prevention Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Authorities in both countries did not reveal how the objects came to light in Israel or the circumstances of their removal. Mendoni presented the return as a step toward greater joint work to safeguard cultural heritage, and said such returns carry wider symbolic and moral meaning. Israeli Ambassador to Greece Pninat Yanay also said the handover could reinforce bilateral cooperation.
The repatriation comes as Greece and Israel broaden diplomatic, energy and defence links. In August, they agreed on a $3.5 billion project to develop a multilayered air-defence system for Greece, named the Achilles Shield. The report calls it one of Israel’s largest defence export agreements.
Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.