Relations between Russia and Israel are going through "a good phase" following the downing of Russia’s Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea on September 17, Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Gary Koren said in an interview with the Ekho Moskvy (or Echo of Moscow) radio station on Tuesday.

"It seems we are currently going through a good phase," he said, expressing gratitude to Russian diplomats for the work they had done "in the past several weeks to stabilize the situation." The ambassador pointed out that although Tel Aviv and Moscow viewed the aircraft incident differently, Israel mourns "together with the families of the deceased Russian military personnel." "We have never had and never will target the Russian military," Koren stressed.

However, according to the Israeli ambassador, as long as the Iranian military is active in Syria, the risk of such incidents will remain. "It is important to emphasize that as long as Iran continues its activities in Syria and these activities are not peaceful as far as Israel is concerned, we reserve complete freedom of action," Koren said.