Israel has recently given Egypt back 2 stolen Pharaonic antiquities, after they were smuggled to East Jerusalem. Egyptian Ambassador in Israel Hazem Khairat received the 2 sarcophagi lids that are dated back to the time between 14 -16 centuries BC.
Israeli Embassy released a statement noting that the 2 pieces, after being busted by the authorities, were kept at the ministry of antiquities’ labs and monitored well. Some bureaucratic measures were fulfilled then the 2 artifacts were given back successfully to Egypt, by virtue of their joint peace treaty.
“The return of the Egyptian (artifacts) is symbolic, more than anything, of the changing relations (between) Israel and Egypt,” Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold stated.
Egyptian ambassador Hazem Khairat expressed appreciation for the Israeli efforts to restore the 2 smuggled antiquities and return them back to their original owner, adding that he looks forward to recovering the rest of the stolen artifacts that were found in Israel.
