“I am grateful for the Korean community’s concern and prayers for peace. I hope there will be more communication between our communities.”
Rachel Bachar, the wife of the Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest, Israel Bachar, visited the office of the Korea Daily and expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the Korean community’s support.
She wore a black head covering (scarf) and a yellow ribbon pin on her jacket, symbolizing a call for the return of the 120 hostages held by Hamas, including five Americans.
As a third-generation Korean, Mrs. Bachar grew up in Lodi, near Stockton, Northern California. Her father, a second-generation Korean American, was an expert in banking systems. She has lived in Singapore and Seoul and traveled extensively throughout Asia.
A communication expert, Mrs. Bachar worked with television networks such as PBS. She met her husband at the Graduate School of Communication at Fordham University in New York. After living in New York for several years, they moved to Israel and settled in the city of Modiin.
Consul General Israel Bachar is a well-known political strategist in Israeli politics and has also worked for a political consulting firm in New York. In Israel, he is known for his significant influence, providing advice to current and former prime ministers.
In September 2023, the Bachar family moved to Los Angeles after Mr. Bachar was appointed Consul General to the Pacific Southwest. They were shocked by the horrific attack on October 7, 2023, when Hamas brutally murdered over 1,200 men, women, and children. The Consul General visited the LA City Council shortly after the attack and made his presence known by appealing for support for Israel.
We cautiously asked Mrs. Bachar about the situation, where the world seems divided due to the conflict in Gaza.
“I cannot speak for the State of Israel or the consulate office, but Jews pray for peace every day. We strive to live in peace in our land, and like every sovereign nation, we will protect our people and our nation. We do not initiate wars, and history shows that we have made numerous attempts at peace with the Palestinians.
There are many photos and videos of clashes seen on social media. Please remember that there are many cases where incidents have been staged or manipulated to aggravate the situation. It really doesn’t make sense. Israel was attacked, its citizens massacred, and hundreds taken hostage, with over 100 still being held captive, yet we are being vilified.”
Tensions continue in everyday life in Southern California. Campus clashes, street protests, and violence are a difficult reality for the Bachar family as well.
“A few weeks ago, a violent protest took place in front of a synagogue in the Pico Robertson neighborhood. Pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the entrance to the house of worship and became violent when Pro-Israel counter-protesters showed up. I was in the car, a block away when I saw the protesters had moved into the neighborhood.
As I was driving, there was a long line of Pro-Israel protesters on the left side of the street and Pro-Palestinian protesters on the right. The Palestinians clearly chose the neighborhood, which has a large Jewish population, to intimidate the residents. I am shocked and saddened by the anti-Semitism in the world.”
Mrs. Bachar, who lived in Korea for three years as a young adult, is very interested in recent developments and changes in Korea.
“I am very proud of Korea, which has seen remarkable growth not only in the economy but also in culture and the arts. Israel, like Korea, has a mandatory military service system. For us, both men and women must serve in the military or in a social service capacity after completing high school.
Israel has a lot in common with Korea. We both value education, close family ties, and traditions. I hope there will be more opportunities for exchange and communication.”
Mrs. Bachar mentioned that her daughter enjoys cooking and sometimes tries to make Kosher Korean food. She noted that she has not yet found a Kosher Korean restaurant in Los Angeles but hopes to discover one soon. She looks forward to exploring Koreatown during her time in LA.
BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
