Israel returns 22 ancient Greek artifacts to Athens

Israel returned 22 ancient Greek antiquities to Greece during a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens on October 13, 2026.

Israeli Ambassador Pninat Yanay presented the items to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. The collection includes 15 vessels from Attic workshops, six vessels from Corinthian workshops, and a bronze statuette of a woman. The artifacts date from the Archaic and Classical periods, spanning approximately 700 B.C. to 320 B.C.

The pottery pieces include black-figure and red-figure vessels, which were used for daily life, religious ceremonies, and burial practices. While the pottery is identified, the Greek Culture Ministry stated that the bronze statuette requires further testing to confirm its authenticity and date. The items were seized in 2020 during a joint investigation by the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel Police, and the Israel Tax Authority. This operation in the Greater Tel Aviv area uncovered thousands of archaeological objects.

While the 22 Greek objects were confiscated and identified for repatriation, authorities did not state how the items originally left Greece or entered the international market. The Greek Culture Ministry described the return as the first of its kind between the two countries. The two nations plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on cultural heritage protection in the near future.

The Israel Antiquities Authority and Greek antiquities police have already participated in a workshop to exchange intelligence and trace smuggling routes.