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Egypt conducts global search for stolen antiquities

Following successful diplomatic efforts to recover 90 smuggled artifacts from Israel last November, Egyptian authorities continue their efforts to crack down on the antiquities trade and repatriate stolen items.
Pharaonic artefacts are seen on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, September 30, 2013. Visitors are gradually returning after the worst civil violence in Egypt's modern history, offering hope to an industry that has been brought to its knees, depriving millions of their livelihood and the economy of badly needed dollars. Picture taken September 30, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY TRAVEL) - RTX14AM8

Egypt has recently succeeded in recovering 90 ancient artifacts that were to be sold in an auction house in Israel, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities on Nov. 9. Meanwhile, Egyptian diplomatic efforts continue to focus on the rest of the auction houses spread throughout Jerusalem that publicly sell stolen Egyptian artifacts.

The spread of auction houses selling pharaonic artifacts in Israel is part of the file aimed at addressing Egyptian smuggled antiquities globally. For years, Egypt has made international efforts to recover these items, as part of a plan put in place by the Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities. The latest report issued by the department for recovered antiquities within the ministry, of which Al-Monitor secured a copy, noted that the most infamous Israeli auction house selling looted pharaonic artifacts from Egypt was the Arida Auction House. According to the report, the department for recovered antiquities learned that 90 pharaonic artifacts had been put up for sale there. The Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry, in cooperation with the Egyptian Embassy in Tel Aviv, succeeded in halting the sale of these 90 artifacts until the necessary measures were taken to prove Egypt’s eligibility to recover them.

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