Israel Returns 22 Looted Antiquities to Greece in Historic Cultural Gesture

The restitution coincides with deepening bilateral relations.

Published on 14 Oct 2026

Israel has repatriated 22 ancient artifacts that were looted from Greece, marking a cultural exchange that aligns with the two nations’ growing partnership.

Greek and Israeli officials declined to elaborate on Tuesday about how the items were located in Israel or the details of their illicit removal from Greece.

The Israel Antiquities Authority’s Theft Prevention Unit traced the objects, said Pninat Yanay, Israel’s ambassador to Greece.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received the artifacts from the Israeli Antiquities Authority during a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

“This is the first time Israel has returned antiquities to Greece, signalling the start of tighter cooperation on safeguarding cultural heritage,” Mendoni remarked.

“Every repatriation of a cultural item to its homeland carries a broader symbolic and moral significance,” she added.

The trove comprises fifteen Attic vases, six Corinthian vases, and a bronze female statuette.

The pieces date from 700 BC to 320 BC.

Yanay noted that the return “lays the groundwork for further strengthening collaboration between Greece and Israel.”

Greece-Israel relations

Greece and Israel have deepened their energy and defence cooperation in recent years.

In August, Israel concluded a $3.5 billion defence agreement to construct a multi‑layered air‑defence system in Greece, dubbed the Achilles Shield—the largest defence pact between the two states and one of Israel’s most significant recent export deals.

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