Ionas “Yona” Karussis, a 26-year-old Israeli-Greek architecture student, became the sixth victim of the terror attack that struck Jaffa’s light rail system on Tuesday.
Ionas was born in 1998 to Greek parents who emigrated to Israel, and he personified two cultures. His father, Prof. Dimitrios Karussis, a renowned neurologist specialising in stem cell treatment, moved the family from Thessaloniki in 1988 to work at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center. His mother, Ourania, developed a career as a paediatrician in Meveseret Zion.
Ionas held dual citizenship and was fluent in both Greek and Hebrew. He completed his education in Israel system and served in the army.
Ionas was pursuing his passion for architecture at a Tel Aviv university. Friends believe he may have been photographing the light rail for a school project when the attack occurred.
Tributes from friends drew a picture of a kind and gentle person. “Yona had a heart of gold,” said one friend to The Jerusalem Post.
“He was one of the few who welcomed me with open arms when I felt lost as the new kid in middle school. He had this effortless kindness, a gentle soul that radiated warmth.”
In an interview with Greek media, Ionas’s father, Dimitrios, shed light on their decision to build a life in Israel. “What motivated me to come to this country is the scientific research, which is so developed here.”
This senseless act of violence cut short the life of a talented young man with a bright future, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its deepest sorrow at his loss and issued a statement condemning the attack in the strongest terms, stressing the need to respect human life and fight terrorism. “We express our sincere condolences to the family and relatives of the victim,” the statement said.
The Greek diplomatic mission in Israel is in close contact with the local authorities to provide support to the victim’s family and to arrange the necessary procedures.
The attack took place in the Jaffa area, one of the most prominent areas of Tel Aviv, and is part of a climate of heightened tension in the region. The international community condemns the acts of violence, stressing the need for peace and stability in the Middle East.
“We strongly condemn yesterday’s [October 2] terrorist attack in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv. We announce with deepest sorrow that among the victims of the attack is a Greek citizen, a resident of Jerusalem. We express our sincere condolences to the family and relatives of the victim.”
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