In first, Israel returns artifacts to Greece amid push to secure return of antiquities

Israel returned 22 ancient artifacts to Greece on Tuesday, marking the first such repatriation between the two countries. The objects, including a bronze statuette and pottery dated to between 700 B.C. and 320 B.C., were handed over at a ceremony in Athens. The move comes as Greece intensifies its campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum.

Israel returned 22 ancient artifacts to Greece on Tuesday, marking the first such repatriation between the two countries. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received the objects from the Israel Antiquities Authority and Amir Ganor, director of its theft prevention division, at a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. The collection includes a small bronze statuette of a woman and pottery comprising slender oil flasks, two-handled amphorae and drinking cups decorated with mythological scenes and geometric motifs, provisionally dated to between about 700 B.C. and 320 B.C. Mendoni said the return marks the starting point of closer cooperation for the protection of cultural heritage. The move comes as Greece broadens bilateral cultural ties as part of its campaign to secure the return of the Parthenon Marbles, 2,500-year-old sculptures removed from the Acropolis and now displayed at the British Museum in London. Officials did not disclose how the artifacts were discovered in Israel or the circumstances of their illegal removal. Israeli Ambassador Pninat Yanay said the items were recovered during an investigation into the illegal antiquities trade.