Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

Americans for Peace Now (APN) is saddened to bid a final farewell to Richard (Dick) Gunther, who passed away on May 25^th 2023 at the age of 98. Dick was a longtime member of APN’s Board of Directors, and a former chair of the Board. He was a passionate, devoted activist in the fight for a progressive Israel that lives in peace with its neighbors.

Dick grew up in Portland, Oregon and later in Los Angeles, where he spent the rest of his life. In 1943 he was drafted and served for three years in the Pacific as the Second World War was ending. He graduated the University of California in Los Angeles with an accounting degree and soon started a successful career in housing construction, first in Hawaii and then in the San Fernando Valley.

He also began his long association with Jewish community causes, joining the Board of the Brandeis Bardin Institute, where he served for 25 years. Into his mid-30s, Dick pursued a successful career in investment, and became politically active including in progressive Jewish and pro-Israel causes. 

Dick served on the Board of Directors of APN since its inception in 1981, and served as Chair of the Board. He was also on the Board of the New Israel Fund, and held leadership positions at the Los Angeles Jewish Federation.

Dick Gunther led a well-rounded life. He was a family man, a curious intellectual, an athlete, a multifaceted philanthropist, and an avid traveler. He participated in several APN study tours to Israel, typically together with Lois, his wife of 75 years.

Dick is survived by Lois, his three sons, and three grandchildren. Americans for Peace Now’s Board and staff send our condolences to the Gunther family.

Produced by the Foundation for Middle East Peace in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Legislative Round-Up was conceived.

1.Bills, Resolutions & Letters
2. Hearings
3. Media & Reports
4. Members on the Record (Palestine/Palestinians)
5. Members on the Record (Israel)
6. Members on the Record (Iran)
7. Members on the Record (other Mideast countries)

Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

What Is the IHRA Definition?

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism is:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Americans for Peace Now (APN) commends the Biden administration for the plan it published today to confront the urgent problem of antisemitism in the United States. Sadly, over the past few years, antisemitism, like so many forms of hatred, has become increasingly prevalent and increasingly public. 

And we thank the administration for focusing on the very real threats of antisemitism and not endorsing or otherwise codifying into law the problematic International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.

APN joined other Progressive Israel Network member organizations in a statement welcoming the administration’s plan. Read that statement here.

Americans for Peace Now warmly commends the 48 members of the House of Representatives who signed an open letter to the Israeli protesters who have been demonstrating for the past four months against the Netanyahu government’s anti-democratic policies.

The letter, initiated by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), demonstrates strong congressional support for the Israelis who are fighting to defend Israeli democracy. Having led several protest events in the United States in solidarity with the Israeli protest movement, APN urged members of the House of Representatives to sign the Eshoo-Raskin letter. We strongly appreciate this unique, important congressional gesture.

Unlike so many statements from elected officials and Jewish communal organizations, the signers of this letter directly address the importance of Israel’s judiciary to the state’s Palestinian citizens and to the Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, an effort we applaud. 

APN’s President and CEO Hadar Susskind said: “This laudable letter underscores America’s ethical imperative to defend the values-based foundation of its alliance with Israel. The US – government and public – must do its utmost to support Israel’s civil society in its fight for democracy and for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Israel's democracy needs and deserves to be defended, but there is no true democracy with occupation.”

Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.