Israel returns 22 ancient artefacts to Greece

Israel has returned 22 ancient artefacts that were stolen from Greece, in a move that signifies a cultural exchange amid strengthening ties between the two countries. Greek and Israeli officials did not disclose details on how the artefacts were found in Israel or the circumstances of their illegal removal from Greece. Pninat Yanay, Israel’s ambassador to Greece, stated that the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Theft Prevention Unit had located the items. Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni accepted the artefacts from the Israeli Antiquities Authority during a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Mendoni remarked, "It is the first time that Israel has returned antiquities to Greece, marking the starting point of closer cooperation between the two countries for the protection of cultural heritage." She added, "Every return of a cultural object to its place of origin has a broader symbolic and moral dimension." The collection comprises 15 Attic vases, six Corinthian vases, and a bronze female statuette, with dates ranging from 700 BC to 320 BC. Yanay noted that the return of the antiquities fosters conditions for further strengthening cooperation between Greece and Israel. In recent years, Greece and Israel have also enhanced their energy and defense ties. In August, Israel signed a $3.5 billion defense deal to construct a multi-layered air defense system in Greece, known as the Achilles Shield, which is the largest defense agreement between the two nations and one of the most significant export agreements in Israel’s recent history.