Egyptian MP Ahmed Abed al-Khaddar is accusing the sons of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Omri and Gilad, of stealing archeological artifacts from Egypt and then selling them for a profit.

During a briefing of the Egyptian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, al-Khaddar brought an expert witness, a prominent archeologist affiliated with UNESCO, who gave testimony that 35 valuable artifacts were indeed sold in Tel Aviv. Al-Khaddar accused the two Sharons as well as the son of the late Israeli Minister Moshe Dayan, Udi, explaining that during  “Israel’s occupation of Sinai” the artifacts were stolen and eventually sold in Israel.

Basing his statements on the testimony of Egypt’s Deputy Interior Minister General Ahmed Ramzi as well, al-Khaddar stated the Sharons run an antiquity gallery in Tel Aviv. Ramzi gave testimony in the Egyptian Parliament that Israel stole antiquities until 1982, when Sinai was turned over to Egyptian sovereignty.

The story of the complaint filed by al-Khaddar appeared in Egyptian newspapers on Monday, and as a result, Omri and Gilad Sharon cannot enter Egypt for fear of being placed under arrest.

Gilad Sharon released a statement to Yediot Achronot, stating the allegations are baseless, adding he and his brother do not have a gallery and do not work with antiquities. “I suggest that before he comes to use with nonsensical allegations, al-Khaddar first look in German and England for his antiquities”.

Gilad added his last visit to Egypt was in 1982, and his brother in 1981, adding he has no plans of visiting a place he is not wanted.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)