A survivor of the devastating Bondi Beach terror attack has extended his "absolute" forgiveness to the alleged gunmen responsible for the violence that claimed his father's life and left him with severe injuries. Ya'akov Tetleroyd, who was shot in the elbow during the Hannukah by the Sea event on December 14, has described his decision to forgive as a profoundly personal and necessary step for his own recovery and peace of mind.
A Journey of Healing and Forgiveness
In an emotional interview with Ben Fordham on 2GB radio, Ya'akov Tetleroyd revealed that he has forgiven the father-and-son gunmen "with a full heart." He characterised this act of forgiveness as "a selfish thing" that enables him to move forward with his life, emphasising that it is more about his own well-being than about the perpetrators themselves. "It's about letting go of anger, rage and resentment," Ya'akov explained. "What benefit is there to myself or anybody else if I carry their guilt around with me? It may do something for them, but it does everything for me."
The Tragic Events of December 14
The attack occurred at the Hannukah by the Sea gathering, where Ya'akov and his 68-year-old father, Boris, were in attendance. Ya'akov was shot in the elbow, with the bullet shattering his elbow joint and necessitating an emergency operation to save his arm. Tragically, his father Boris was shot approximately five minutes later and lost his life in the incident. Ya'akov was unaware of his father's fate until three days after the attack, as he had been placed in an induced coma for about two days following the shooting.
Upon regaining consciousness, Ya'akov learned the devastating news from his mother. He fondly remembered his father as "a decent human being and a proud Jew" who was "the light of my life, a gentle and soft man." Ya'akov expressed that he misses his father "very dearly" and continues to grapple with the profound loss.
An Unlikely Friendship Forged in Grief
During the radio interview, Ya'akov was joined by Sydney father Danny Abdallah, who himself experienced unimaginable tragedy in 2020 when a drunk and drug-affected driver crashed into his children, resulting in the deaths of his three children and his niece. Mr Abdallah and his wife Leila garnered international attention for publicly forgiving the driver responsible for the accident.
Ya'akov spoke of the meaningful connection he has formed with Mr Abdallah during this difficult period, describing him as "a wonderful person" with whom he shares much in common. "In this difficult time I found a friend in Danny," Ya'akov remarked, highlighting the mutual understanding and support that has developed between them.
The Power of Forgiveness as a Conscious Choice
Mr Abdallah offered his perspective on forgiveness, describing it as "a choice, not a feeling." He noted that if he had followed his emotions, he would never have been able to forgive, stating, "I'd be a mess... I did it to protect my family." He praised Ya'akov's decision to forgive the gunmen, viewing it as an act for the "greater good" of himself and his family, emphasising the therapeutic and protective qualities of such forgiveness.
This powerful narrative of forgiveness emerging from profound tragedy underscores the complex emotional journeys that survivors of violent crimes must navigate. Ya'akov Tetleroyd's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for resilience and the personal pathways to healing that individuals may choose in the aftermath of trauma.
