Israel has returned 22 ancient artefacts illegally removed from Greece, marking the first such repatriation between the two countries.
The artefacts were officially handed over to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni during a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens on Tuesday (13).
According to Al Jazeera, the collection includes 15 Attic vases, six Corinthian vases and a bronze female statuette, dating from between 700 BC and 320 BC.
The objects were recovered by the Theft Prevention Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
However, officials from both countries did not disclose how the artefacts were discovered in Israel or the circumstances surrounding their illegal removal from Greece.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mendoni described the return as a significant step toward strengthening cooperation between Greece and Israel in protecting cultural heritage.
“Every return of a cultural object to its place of origin has a broader symbolic and moral dimension,” she said.
Israeli Ambassador to Greece Pninat Yanay said the repatriation would help strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The development comes as Greece and Israel continue to expand their diplomatic, energy and defence relations.
In August, the two countries signed a $3.5 billion defence agreement for the development of a multilayered air defence system in Greece, known as the Achilles Shield.
The agreement is considered one of Israel’s largest defence export deals. (Newswire)
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