Israel Returns Ancient Artifacts to Greece After Illicit Trade Bust
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Israel has returned 22 ancient Greek artifacts, seized in 2020 during an investigation into illegal antiquities trafficking, to Greek authorities in Athens. The repatriation ceremony, marking the first such return from Israel to Greece, was attended by ministers and ambassadors from both countries. The artifacts, including pottery from the 8th to 4th centuries BCE, were recovered from warehouses in the Gush Dan region. This event highlights strengthened cooperation between Israeli and Greek law enforcement in combating illicit antiquities trade.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel returned 22 ancient Greek artifacts seized in 2020 to Greek authorities in Athens.
- This marks the first time Israel has repatriated antiquities to Greece.
- The artifacts were recovered during an investigation into illegal antiquities trafficking in the Gush Dan region.
- The handover ceremony took place at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
- The event underscored deepening professional ties and shared commitment to cultural heritage protection between the two nations.
- Ancient pottery from the 8th to 4th centuries BCE was among the returned items.
Twenty-two ancient artifacts originating from Greece, seized in 2020 in warehouses in the Gush Dan region during an investigation into illegal antiquities trafficking, were returned to Greek authorities on Tuesday. The handover ceremony took place at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, following the completion of legal proceedings and forfeiture in Israel. This marks the first time Israel has repatriated antiquities to Greece, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
The ceremony was attended by Greece's Minister of Culture, Dr. Lina Mendoni, Israel's Ambassador to Greece, Pnina Yanai, the Director of the IAA's Robbery Prevention Unit, Dr. Amir Ganor, and other representatives from both nations. The IAA emphasized that the event underscored the deepening professional ties between law enforcement agencies in Israel and Greece and their shared commitment to protecting cultural heritage.
The antiquities were confiscated several years ago in a joint operation involving the IAA's Robbery Prevention Unit, the Israel Police, and the Israel Tax Authority. This operation targeted a gallery, warehouses, and apartments in Gush Dan, uncovering thousands of archaeological items from Israel and around the world. The investigation focused on suspected illegal trafficking and possession of items stolen from ancient sites and tombs across the Mediterranean and beyond.
Among the returned artifacts are ancient Greek pottery, including vessels from the 7th century BCE decorated with Near Eastern influences, and pieces in the black-figure and red-figure styles dating from the 8th to 4th centuries BCE. These items, used in daily life, rituals, and burials, often accompanied the deceased in tombs.
Both Minister Mendoni and Ambassador Yanai spoke at the ceremony, highlighting the moral and symbolic significance of the repatriation. They stressed that returning artifacts to their country of origin reinforces the shared responsibility for cultural heritage protection and the necessity of international cooperation to combat illicit trafficking. Dr. Ganor added that illegal antiquities trade often funds terrorism and organized crime, and that disrupting these networks helps prevent criminal activity and protect cultural assets.
Discussions about expanding cultural cooperation between Israel and Greece were held in March 2025, and a memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed soon to formalize collaboration on heritage protection. Israel's Minister of Heritage, Amichai Eliyahu, praised the professional operation and the strengthening bilateral cooperation, emphasizing Israel's commitment to safeguarding historical evidence and combating illicit trade.
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