Israel returns 22 stolen antiquities to Greece in historic repatriation

Israel has completed its first-ever repatriation of stolen antiquities to Greece, returning 22 recovered artefacts.

Israel has transferred 22 ancient artefacts back to Greece following a successful operation by its antiquities theft prevention unit. This historic transfer marks the first time the two Mediterranean nations have completed a cultural repatriation of this kind. The recovered items were identified and officially handed over to Greek authorities.

• The recoveryThe 22 antiquities were intercepted and seized during an operation carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority Theft Prevention Unit.
• The significanceThis repatriation marks the inaugural cultural exchange of its kind between the governments of Jerusalem and Athens.