Twenty-two illegally removed ancient Greek art works and artefacts seized by Israeli authorities have been returned to Greece, marking the first repatriation of antiquities from Israel, and paving the way for closer cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage.
Israel’s Ambassador to Greece, Pninat Yanay, formally handed over the objects to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni during a special ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens this week. The return comes as part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to recover the country’s cultural heritage and combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities.
Photo: Greek Culture Ministry
Mendoni described Israel’s decision as having “special significance”, stressing that the first-ever return of antiquities from Israel to Greece represents an important starting point for closer bilateral cooperation in safeguarding cultural heritage.
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She said Greece considers the protection of cultural heritage and the fight against illicit trade among its key priorities, highlighting the need for coordinated international action and close collaboration among the relevant authorities.
“The return of any cultural object to its place of origin carries a broader symbolic and ethical dimension,” Mendoni said. “It’s a reminder that protecting cultural heritage is a collective responsibility.”
“I am confident that the partnership between Greece and Israel will continue to yield tangible results in the preservation of cultural heritage,” she added.
The 22 antiquities were seized by the Israel Antiquities Authority and consist of 15 Attic vessels, six Corinthian vessels, and a bronze female statuette. The Attic vessels include 11 black-figure items, three red-figure vessels, and one black-glazed piece, dating to the Archaic and Classical periods. The six Corinthian vessels date to the Archaic period.