Israeli parliamentary speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein has confirmed to Sputnik that the tensions in Russian-Israeli relations after the downing of a Russian plane in Syria were felt in Israel and expressed hope they would be back to normal soon
ROME (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 24th November, 2018) Israeli parliamentary speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein has confirmed to Sputnik that the tensions in Russian-Israeli relations after the downing of a Russian plane in Syria were felt in Israel and expressed hope they would be back to normal soon.
"Unfortunately I can't say the relations were not affected ... I sincerely hope that things will be back on track ... I think it is in mutual interest not because of the traditionally good relations, but [that] it is mutual interest also because the Russian presence in Syria continues," he told Sputnik on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Dialogues in Rome.
A Russian Il-20 military plane was downed on September 17 by a missile launched by a Syrian air defense system targeting an Israeli F-16 jet carrying out airstrikes in Latakia. The Russian Defense Ministry has blamed the crash on the Israeli Air Force, claiming that the Israeli jet used the Russian plane as a shield.
"I understand totally the reaction of the Russian public opinion to losing 25 soldiers and officers in this Syrian attack on a Russian plane," he said, adding the Israeli leadership "know for a fact that Israel is not to blame."
He stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a good personal relationship. The two leaders met on the margins of the Paris celebrations this month marking 100 years since the end of World War I.
