Utah Tour Guide Charged With Trying to Smuggle Antiquities Out of Israel
- Posted on May 21, 2011 at 7:51am by
Scott Baker
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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Tour guide David Lund on Friday denied accusations by Israeli authorities that he was trying to smuggle antiquities from that country.
Israeli authorities arrested Lund earlier this week on suspicion of trafficking antiquities, but the retired lecturer from Murray, Utah, said he was never informed of any wrongdoing in more than 30 years of guiding thousands of people to visit holy sites in the Middle East and bringing antiquities with him to tell biblical stories.
“They’re saying I was trying to sneak these items out of Israel, and it’s just a gross misrepresentation of the facts,” the 70-year-old Lund said.
AP
His latest trip began earlier this month when he led a group of 96 tourists to Israel. Like his previous outings, Lund brought along antiquities such as oil lamps and coins to help illustrate the history and tell stories about the region.
They were antiquities he said he had purchased on previous trips around the Mediterranean region. Lund said he was questioned at customs about the items when he entered Israel and allowed to pass without any problems.
On Monday, Lund was detained at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel on suspicion of selling stolen artifacts to tour groups as he was trying to leave the country.
Authorities said he had stolen ancient coins in his possession and had checks totaling more than $20,000 believed to be from the illegal sales of ancient coins, clay oil lamps, and glass and pottery vessels.
AP
Lund said he had no idea a visa was required to bring antiquities in and out of the country and was never told by any authorized dealers in Israel to do so. He said the items he brought into the country helped tell biblical stories as part of the trip designed to highlight sites important to Christians.
Authorities said they had warned Lund in the past about carrying antiquities on the tours he conducted.
“We thought it was appropriate to let him off with a warning,” said Shai Bar Tura, deputy director of the Israel Antiquities Authority. “But we kept our eyes open … and sure enough, the guy kept on doing what he was told not to.”
AP
He said Lund was later seen selling artifacts at a lecture he gave on the history of Egypt in a Jerusalem hotel. Authorities seized the items, searched him and his hotel room, where they found hundreds of artifacts, Bar Tuna said.
Israeli authorities said Lund admitted the offenses attributed to him, but Lund said he was intimidated into signing documents in Hebrew at the airport when he was detained—documents that were never clearly explained to him.
Lund said the checks were given to him by members of the tour group who wanted to buy antiquities legally, and he took them to legitimate dealers and paid for the items with his Visa card.
He said the transactions were all made openly and never meant to be secretive since there was nothing to hide, nor did he question the legality of what he was doing.
AP
“We were buying antiques as souvenirs from legitimate dealers just like what normal tourists would do and no one ever told us we needed a special visa,” Lund said. “I understand why Israel would have strict policies on antiquities, but I don‘t understand why they didn’t stop me when I entered the country if they had a problem with the items I had.”
Bar Tura said Lund could face up to three years in jail if convicted. Lund said he has not heard anything from Israeli authorities since returning two days ago.
___
Chi-Chi Zhang can be reached at http://twitter.com/thunderchi
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Comments (89)
lynnissmart
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:17amIsrael does not stand for this kind of c r a p!!!!! US could use a lesson here on how to be tough!
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:08amIsrael has very strict laws about this stuff and you got caught to bad
Report Post »capecodsully
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:07amI thought the arabs said there’s no such thing as Israeli antiquities, no Temples, nothing. Go figure.
Report Post »TRUSTNO MAN
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:04am“C’MON-CMON…..We’ll all be late for the stoning!!!” – M. Python
Report Post »Steelhead
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:01amWhy not deal out a little Holy Land justice from Biblical times. Cut off his hand- he will never steal again
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:27pmNo, Israel is a civilized country. It’s the Mohammdans that still do that.
Report Post »robinraleigh
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:40amAnd the Israeli government is 100% right in its assertion that this man is guilty? It never makes mistakes right? Ever heard of the USS Liberty? Before we turn ONE US Citizen over to a foreign country for trial there had better be a complete disclosure of the facts of this case. Sounds like there are two sides to this story and, as they say, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:36am@13TH IMAM
Ohhh they are getting smarter than that, They now have the ability to to moving speed traps, Just drive one of those Mobile Speed Cams in to another with a Lower SpeedLimit Mounted on it, INSTANT CASH…..
Report Post »Liberal_Atheist_Critical_Thinker
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:31amDid he get any Magic Dirt? It‘s the Holy dirt that’s the real important stuff – that’s what all the fighting is about.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:22amHoly means “set apart.” Nothing magic about anything.The land of Israel is set apart by the Almighty for his purpose for these times.
Report Post »faithnAO
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:07amLiberal atheists are not capable of critical thinking. This would be akin to a limited government democrat.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:28pmI want to see some of those Magic Taxes keep going up and still benefit an economy.
Report Post »Hisemiester
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:23amNot a good time for a lower level Israeli bureaucrat to raise his ugly head. Not a good time Israel, especially with what is going on with what was your only friend in the world. Not good
Report Post »donh2
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:13amI deal in antiques. The items shown in this picture are of no significant value. Pottery oil lamps can be found at any US flea market for $50-100. Old greek and roman coins are very common here in the US and valued around $20. This is an abuse by TSA types who lack the education to spot the genuine smuggling of stolen museum items.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:20amHe was stopped at Ben Gurion which has no TSA presence that I know of…
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:20am@THE-ACIENT
Sorry, I didn’t read that part:(
Report Post »kendeer
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:04amthis guy looks like jim tressel !
Report Post »ShyMan
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:43amYou just confused half of the commenters on this site, including Beck, with a reference to sports.
Report Post »LastAmerican
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:50amIf he has receipts from the dealers then he’s kosher.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:24amReceipts don’t cover you if the items are not legally allowed to be taken out of the country. Countries cannot allow the movement of artifacts just because you have a receipt.
Report Post »christos
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:50am…….He must of been using the antiquities-reproductions as a teaching tool-you can buy them at TREASURES OF THE HOLY LAND.COM,as for the antiquities in his hotel room,he probably bought them,& sold them on his tour guide,he should have found out the rules first,harmless grandpa,let him off the hook,thinking Israel has more pressing issues,the guy looks honest,miscommunication,I’m guessing.Israel should be happy they have any tourists considering they are surrounded by 360 million enemies,
Report Post »christos
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:32amInnocent before proven guilty,,,,,,,someday sooner than later,the Jewish people will be in the New City +JESUS+ is building,all of there artifacts will probably be just virtual,sure they are a bit edgy considering all of the evil creeps after them,
Report Post »Stu D. Baker-Hawk
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:46amWhen you‘re in another’s country, you play by their rules. This guy is a 70-year-old idiot.
Report Post »PavZilla
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:52amToo bad that doesn’t seem to apply to the US.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:18amTell that to the Mexican Invaders
Report Post »Romans828
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:35amI noticed this morning that the number of tour guide sites linked to glennbeck.com/israel for the Restoring Courage tour has dropped from two to one. Wonder if this guy was the other one??? In which case at least he’s gone.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:17amNo the other one was/is Ducar Tours based in Virginia not Utah… But if the Link was removed I would be careful but it could be they just sold out of the VIP packs or something, there was only like 600 total and I am sure they were split between the 2 companies…
Report Post »rvsample
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:34amIf he had travelled as much as is indicated, he would have known you do not bring stuff like this in and out. If he needed to illustrate his talks, I am sure items were available and to purchase items for individuals as is stated is rather STUPID.
Report Post »DREDGE
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:28amWhat a dope! Guess he never heard of photographs to show at his tours!
Report Post »3yrs? Give him 10yrs as an example! Next, we will be paying for all the junk that was stolen for the last 10,000 yrs because he was an American.
Captain Crunch
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:21am“It’s ok Your Honor…..I’ve been doing this for years and nobody has said anything about it. Besides,other people do it too.” This man knew he was doing wrong especially after being warned by the authorities. TYPICAL CRIMINAL MENTALITY. No sympathy here.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:16amStealing is stealing wether you steal one grape at the grocery store or a new car off of the lot. For years many countries have looted treasures out of this area. Egypt ws probably looted the most.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:49amMost of Egypt was looted by Egyptian Graverobbers. for the past 2000 years. /Only now is it important that Egypt get all these Artifacts Back. Islamists would probably Blow up , all antiqities as blasphemous to I-Slam.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:04amEgyptians robbing Egyptians. How novel! Anyway, it still belongs to them. It would be like England taking the US capital, saying we can’t take care of it properly……WAIT…WE CAN’T
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:26pmTrue, say what you like about the practice of early archaeology, but the pioneers SAVED the little that was left. They weren’t the looters, the looters had already done their sordid work.
Report Post »ProudInfidel
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:13amIt may be a good idea to get that stuff (and the people) out of there. When the Islamists take over, they will smash all those things (and the people).
Report Post »PavZilla
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:54amAyup, I completely agree with you.
Report Post »Hephzibah
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:19amYou beat me to that answer…get them out of there before they get looted and destroyed.
Report Post »Trestin Meacham
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:05amIgnorance is not a good excuse in any court. Never the less, this is another example of far too many laws and regulations. They go after this small tour guild who has been doing this for years, while turning a blind eye to the thousands of items sold on eBay each month. Funny how the little guy is always made the example.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:12amUnless your the Police wrongfully arresting people, then ignorance is alway a defense …. for some reason
Report Post »Amren
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 2:39pm@ the_ancient
Report Post »I know, huh!?! What’s up with that?
ares338
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:01amHe was also trying to sell Becks’ dirty socks!
Report Post »PatriotsLikeMe
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:54amThanks for the laugh, brutha!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 7:58amI bought The Holy Grail from that guy…it was suprisingly reasonable.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:17amNeed a bridge?
Report Post »PatriotsLikeMe
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:56amGood one! Now I know why the Blaze has these stories interspersed with the more serious ones, to give us all a chance to be silly and have a good laugh. Good times!
Report Post »forthepeople
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 6:44pmI have some nice swampland in florida .
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 7:57amI had no idea these people arn’t idiots
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 7:57amSend his butt to jail
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:07amGuilty without trial? Maybe Obama has just p.o.’d the Israeli government.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:22amafter a trial of coarse. should go without saying.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:39amCould there be more to this?
A trial will bring out the truth, I hope.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:58ami;d like one for the coffee table i don’t have.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:11amSo you have convicted him before any trial?????
I am glad you have 100% confidance that government can never make any mistakes ever, Never in the History of the world has any ever been wrongly accused of a crime, that has never ever happened before, police in every country are 100% correct 100% of the time…
Do you live on Gliese 581d????
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:27amSounds more and more like our Gubberment ( Little Southern Town Speedtraps )
Report Post ».
Posted Speed Limit 3 MPH
Oh, the sign fell down. Ignorance of the LAW is no excuse.
F’n Lawyers are the same everywhere. Get rid of them first
Aaron in Polk County
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:36amThe man was just trying to get some souvenirs and maybe makes some money back home. It’s the American way!
Report Post »mill
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:38amWhy? He has done nothing wrong as far as we can tell. There is more abt this story in newspaper
As said , they let him go and he has not heard more from Israel…
Report Post »@ Coyote2
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:03amIt’s obvious the jews are envious when someone else beats them to a fast buck.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 11:10amI’m always skeptical about people capitalising on religious artifacts.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 12:34pmSombody isn’t tellin the truth
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:47pmMuch ado about nothing. Yes, antiquities have to be regulated so that people are not cheated with fakes or overcharged. You would think there is more important news coming out of Israel than this little brouhaha about commerce. The Blaze could have published a more newsworthy article that actually had to do with the Israeli struggle to survive the vultures that are circling around them. We need to pray for Israel.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 2:30pm@ Coyote2
Report Post »Is your real name Helen Thomas???