Picture: Anti-Theft Unit, Israel Antiquities Authority

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Twenty-two antiquities originating in Greece, seized in 2020 from warehouses in central Israel as part of an investigation into illegal antiquities trading, were returned to Greek authorities on Tuesday.

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The artifacts were formally handed over during a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, following the completion of legal proceedings in Israel and their confiscation. This marks the first time Israel has returned antiquities to Greece.

The ceremony was attended by Greek Culture Minister Dr. Lina Mendoni, Israeli Ambassador to Greece Adv. Penina Yanai, Amir Ganor, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Theft Prevention Unit, and other representatives from both countries.

The event also highlighted growing professional cooperation between Israeli and Greek law enforcement agencies and their shared commitment to protecting cultural heritage.

The artifacts were seized during a joint operation conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Theft Prevention Unit, Israel Police and the Israel Tax Authority. Investigators raided a gallery, warehouses and apartments across central Israel, uncovering thousands of archaeological objects originating from Israel and other parts of the world.

The investigation focused on suspected illegal antiquities trading and the possession of objects believed to have originated from the looting of archaeological sites and ancient tombs throughout the Mediterranean region and elsewhere.

Among the objects returned to Greece are ancient Greek pottery vessels, including pieces dating to the seventh century BCE that feature artistic influences from the ancient Near East.

The collection also includes pottery decorated in the distinctive black-figure and red-figure styles, depicting figures and scenes from Greek mythology. The vessels date from the eighth to the fourth centuries BCE. Such vessels served a variety of purposes in ancient Greek society, including everyday use, religious rituals and burial customs. Some were placed in graves as offerings intended to accompany the deceased.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the return carried particular significance because it was the first time Israel had repatriated antiquities to Greece. “The return of antiquities from Israel to Greece has special meaning,” Mendoni said. “It lays the foundation for deeper cooperation between our countries in protecting cultural heritage.”

She added that every repatriation carries broader moral and symbolic importance, emphasizing that combating the illegal antiquities trade requires international cooperation, mutual trust and a shared commitment to protecting cultural heritage and upholding the law.

Israeli Ambassador Penina Yanai said that removing an antiquity from its place of origin interrupts its historical story. “Today, that story can continue,” she said. “Israel and Greece are two nations with ancient histories and two modern states in which archaeology plays an important role in understanding the past and national identity.”

She added that the ceremony represented more than the return of artifacts, describing it as an expression of respect for history, heritage and the friendship between the two countries.

Amir Ganor, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Theft Prevention Unit, warned that illegal antiquities trafficking crosses national borders and can cause irreversible damage to the cultural heritage of the countries from which objects are taken. He said the trade can also provide cover for terrorist financing, organized crime and money laundering. “Interrupting smuggling networks and preventing the continued generation of illegal profits from antiquities help thwart criminal activity and, above all, protect cultural heritage,” Ganor said.

The investigation has also helped establish closer professional ties between Israel’s Theft Prevention Unit and Greece’s antiquities enforcement authorities. Last month, representatives of the two agencies held a joint international enforcement workshop to discuss expanding information-sharing, identifying potentially looted objects and tracing antiquities trafficking routes.

Mendoni noted that during a visit to Jerusalem in March 2025, she discussed expanding cultural cooperation with Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar. She described the return of the artifacts as a practical expression of the commitment established during those discussions. The two countries are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding in the near future to formalize their cooperation in protecting cultural heritage.

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu welcomed the return, saying Israel understands the deep connection between a people and its heritage. He praised the Israel Antiquities Authority and law enforcement agencies in both countries for their work, adding that closer cooperation reflects a shared responsibility to preserve the treasures of the past for future generations