Benjamin Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “regret” in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the incident with Russian IL-20 plane off Syrian coast. Netanyahu blamed Syria for the incident adding that Moscow and Tel Aviv should continue coordinating their efforts.
The Israeli prime minister also promised to send the air force chief to Moscow with the results of the Israeli investigation of the IL-20 shotdown.
Previously, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released own statement commenting on the situation. The IDF expressed sorrow “for the death of the aircrew members of the Russian plane” and accused Syria, Iran and Hezbollah of the incident.
All these actions came after the Russian side officialy stated that Israel bears full responsibility for the IL-20 shotdown and emphasized that Russia keeps “the right to respond”.
“We have informed today our Israeli colleagues, and I have also informed personally the Israeli Defense Minister [Avigdor Lieberman], that such actions will not be left unanswered by us,” Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated.
