Israel Returns 22 Ancient Greek Artifacts to Athens

Israel has handed back 22 stolen ancient artifacts to Greece. This move highlights growing cooperation between the two nations. Officials did not reveal how Greek items ended up in Israel or the details of their illegal removal on Tuesday. Pninat Yanay, Israel's ambassador to Athens, stated that the Israel Antiquities Authority's Theft Prevention Unit found these specific pieces.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni accepted the return at a ceremony inside the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. "It is the first time that Israel has returned antiquities to Greece," she said during the event. She added that this marks the beginning of closer work on protecting cultural heritage. "Every return of a cultural object to its place of origin has a broader symbolic and moral dimension."

The recovered collection features 15 Attic vases, six Corinthian vases, and a bronze female statuette. Experts date these objects between 700 BC and 320 BC. Yanay explained that giving the items back created conditions for further strengthening cooperation. "We are building on this foundation," he implied regarding future joint efforts.

Relations have improved recently in energy and defense sectors too. In August, Israel signed a $3.5 billion deal to build an Achilles Shield air defense system in Greece. It stands as the largest defense agreement between them. This contract ranks among the most significant export deals in recent Israeli history. The return of these artifacts adds another layer to their expanding partnership.