Trump To Return Israel Antiquities Kept At Mar-A-Lago

The New York Times reports:

Former President Donald J. Trump will return a set of ancient coins and ceramic oil lamps to Israel’s government after reports last week that Israeli officials were pressing to retrieve them. The items were not removed from the White House by Mr. Trump, like the classified documents that led to his indictment on federal espionage charges. They were not unaccounted for, like the official gifts from foreign leaders.

In fact, the artifacts never made it to the White House at all. Rather, they have been at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s home and private club in Palm Beach, Fla., since December 2021. That’s when Saul Fox, a wealthy donor to both Israel and the Republican Party, gave the items to him during a Hanukkah celebration, calling them an expression of Israel’s gratitude to Mr. Trump.

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According to a Trump spokesperson they had been “on loan for a permanent exhibition.” Israel didn’t agree with the permanent part. https://t.co/MNFBcnBeqD

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) July 26, 2023