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Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

US returns looted antiquity to Palestine for first time ever

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Jan 2023 20:02
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

For the first time ever, the United States returns looted antiquity to Palestine, a "cosmetic spoon" that is almost 3,000 years old.

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  • An ivory cosmetic spoon, dating back to approximately 800-700 B.C.E, was repatriated to the Palestinian Authority by US officials. (Manhattan District Attorney's office)
    An ivory cosmetic spoon, dating back to approximately 800-700 B.C.E, was repatriated to the Palestinian Authority by US officials. (Manhattan District Attorney's office)

US officials repatriated a 2,700-year-old ivory object to the Palestinian Authority on Thursday after it was likely stolen from Al-Khalil, in the occupied West Bank. 

The artifact was seized after a multinational criminal investigation by the Manhattan DA office into Michael Steinhardt, one of the world's finest collectors of ancient art.

Read more: Stolen artifacts repatriated to Italy from New York

The object, described as a "cosmetic spoon," was used to ladle incense onto fires and braziers at rites honoring the gods and the dead.

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It dates to between 800 B.C. and 700 B.C. and is believed to be from the vast Assyrian civilization.

Steinhardt bought this cosmetic spoon in 2003 from Israeli antiquities dealer Gil Chaya who has been accused of selling hundreds of illicit items, according to The New York Times. The spoon’s seizure is part of an investigation into stolen antiquities valued at $70 million.

This comes after a years-long investigation into Steinhardt, who avoided charges after he surrendered 180 artifacts, worth an estimated $70 million, and agreed to what officials called an "unprecedented" lifetime ban on acquiring antiquities. 

This was the first time a cultural object has been repatriated to Palestine from the United States, a press release from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. said.

“This artifact is important as it acquires its real scientific and archaeological value in its authentic location,” Rula Maayah, the Palestinian minister of tourism and antiquities, said during a ceremony at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Bethlehem this week.

The repatriation is "a historic moment between the American and Palestinian people and a demonstration of our belief in the power of cultural exchanges in building mutual understanding, respect, and partnership," George Noll, Chief of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs said.

  • Palestine
  • Michael Steinhardt
  • United States
  • Manhattan

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