Greek antiquities returned by Israel include 22 ancient objects that were illegally removed from the country, as Athens intensifies its campaign to recover cultural treasures held abroad, including the Parthenon Marbles.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received the artifacts from the Israel Antiquities Authority at a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens on Tuesday.
“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,” Mendoni said.
She added that every cultural object returned to its place of origin carries a broader symbolic and moral significance.
Collection includes pottery and bronze statuette
The returned collection includes a small bronze statuette of a woman, along with pottery comprising slender oil flasks, two-handled amphorae and drinking cups decorated with mythological scenes and geometric patterns.
The objects are provisionally dated to between approximately 700 BC and 320 BC.
Israeli officials said the artifacts were recovered during an investigation into the illegal antiquities trade. However, officials from both countries did not disclose how the objects were discovered in Israel or the circumstances surrounding their removal from Greece.
Pninat Yanay, Israel’s ambassador to Greece, said archaeology played an important role in the national life of both countries, helping people understand their origins and identity.
Greece steps up campaign for Parthenon Marbles
The return comes as Greece expands its bilateral cultural cooperation in pursuit of the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles.
The sculptures, which date back around 2,500 years, were removed from the Acropolis and are now displayed at the British Museum in London. Greece has long sought their return.
Athens is pursuing the campaign through international engagement and cooperation with other countries, seeking the return of cultural objects to their places of origin.
Greece and Israel deepen cooperation
The repatriation also comes amid closer Greek-Israeli relations in the fields of energy and defence.
In August, Israel signed a €3 billion deal to build an air defence system in Greece, known as Achilles Shield. The agreement was described as the largest defence deal between the two countries.
The return of the 22 artifacts marks a new step in cultural cooperation between Athens and Jerusalem, alongside their expanding strategic ties.
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