World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Israel returns 22 ancient artifacts to Greece
Israel returned 22 ancient artifacts to Greece at a ceremony in Athens on Tuesday.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received them from the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The objects include pottery and a small bronze statue, provisionally dated to between about 700 B.C. and 320 B.C. Officials did not say how the artifacts were found or how they left Greece.
Israel's ambassador said they were recovered during an investigation into the illegal antiquities trade.
Greece is seeking the return of the Parthenon Marbles, ancient sculptures taken from the Acropolis that are now displayed at the British Museum in London.
The handover marks the first time Israel has returned antiquities to Greece and was described by Mendoni as a starting point for closer cooperation on protecting cultural heritage.
Israel returned 22 ancient artifacts to Greece on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The objects had been illegally removed from Greece and were handed over at a ceremony in Athens.
The collection includes a bronze statuette of a woman and pottery provisionally dated to about 700 B.C. to 320 B.C.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received the objects from Israel’s Antiquities Authority and its theft prevention division director, Amir Ganor.
Athens is pursuing the return of the Parthenon Marbles, which are displayed at the British Museum in London.
- Who
- Israel returned the artifacts to Greece. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received them.
- What
- 22 ancient artifacts that had been illegally removed from Greece were handed back.
- When
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece.
- Why
- The artifacts were recovered during an Israeli investigation into the illegal antiquities trade.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Israel signed a 3 billion euro deal to build an air defense system in Greece.
Israel returned 22 ancient artifacts to Greece at a ceremony in Athens.
- Artifacts returned
- 22
- Handover location
- National Archaeological Museum, Athens
- Provisionally dated
- About 700 B.C. to 320 B.C.
- Greek recipient
- Lina Mendoni, culture minister
- Israeli handover official
- Amir Ganor, director of the theft prevention division
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What people are saying
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.
Every return of a cultural object to its place of origin has a broader symbolic and moral dimension.
investigation by the Israeli authorities into the illegal antiquities trade
In both Greece and Israel, archaeology has a special place in national life. It helps us understand where we came from and who we are.