Egypt reveals: They tried to smuggle ancient Judaica treasures to Belgium • Watch

April 19, 2014   

Egyptian authorities have uncovered an attempted smuggling of ancient Jewish artefacts from Egypt to Belgium at the port of Damietta. Egyptian Antiquities Minister Muhammad Ibrahim issued an official statement saying: "The ancient artifacts were seized while authorities were searching cargo at the port of the town of Damietta, located on the Mediterranean coast.". Among the items seized are 14 silver-plated wooden Torah scroll covers with Hebrew inscriptions, a silver knife stamped with the year 1890 and additional text, candlesticks, a Torah scroll crown, pomegranates and bells that hang in synagogues. A special committee will convene in Egypt to date the hoard of items, which it says "show that this is a period of religious tolerance in Egyptian history.".