Why Israel did not shoot when a Russian jet entered its airspace
Days after Turkey shot down a Russian jet for allegedly violating the Turkish airspace, a Russian jet entered the Israeli airspace. However, the incident was resolved without any hassle, and an Israeli minister credits an open line of communication between the countries for avoiding clashes.
Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said on Sunday the incident had taken place due to an apparent error by the pilot.
"There was a slight intrusion a mile (1.6 kilometres) deep by a Russian plane from Syria into our airspace, but it was immediately resolved and the Russian plane returned towards Syria," AFP quoted Yaalon as telling Israel Radio. "Russian planes do not intend to attack us, which is why we must not automatically react and shoot them down when an error occurs."
Russia and Israel have a “hotline” which is used for instant information sharing. The Israeli minister reminded the countries did have arrangements made to avoid clashes over Syria.
Yaalon’s comments come after there were allegations by Russia that Turkey deliberately shot its jet down as Moscow insisted the Russian jet had not violated Turkish airspace. Turkey defended its decision by saying it had warned the Russian jet multiple times before going ahead.
The situation got so intense that US President Barack Obama asked the two countries to avoid cold war escalation. He feared that the two Cold War rivals may escalate the situation and deteriorate their relations.
According to Yaalon, it is a common practice for Russia to notify Israel whenever Russian jets are likely to get close to the Israeli airspace.
“Just as we don’t interfere with their operations and we don’t get involved, as a policy, in what is happening in Syria, they also don’t interfere with us flying and acting in accordance with our interests,” The Guardian quoted the Israeli minister as saying.
The open communication system between the countries seems to be the key to avoid clashes if an intrusion takes place, according to Yaalon.
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