Israel has returned 22 ancient Greek artifacts that were illegally removed from Greece, the first such repatriation from Israel, and both countries say it lays groundwork for closer cooperation against antiquities trafficking.
Israel's ambassador, Pninat Yanai, formally handed over the objects to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni at a ceremony this week at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Mrs. Mendoni said the decision had "special significance" and marks "an important starting point" for closer cooperation in protecting cultural heritage.
"The return of any cultural object to its place of origin carries a broader symbolic and ethical dimension," she said.
"It's a reminder that protecting cultural heritage is a collective responsibility." She added that she is confident the partnership "will continue to yield tangible results."
The Israel Antiquities Authority seized the objects.
They comprise 15 Attic vessels, six Corinthian vessels and a bronze statuette of a woman.
The Attic group includes 11 black-figure pieces, three red-figure vessels and one black-glazed piece. Black-figure and red-figure are the two main styles of Athenian vase painting, named for the color of the painted figures.
The items date to the Archaic and Classical periods, roughly the seventh to fourth centuries B.C. The six Corinthian vessels are Archaic.
The return is part of a push by Athens to recover its heritage and fight illicit trade. Last month, the Manhattan district attorney's office returned 15 antiquities, bringing to 179 the number Greece has recovered through that office since 2022.
It also deepens ties between Athens and Jerusalem, which have focused mainly on defense, energy and tourism.
Mrs. Yanai took up her post in Athens this fall and has said she wants to build bridges between the two peoples.
The ministry did not say how the objects reached Israel.