The Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield
United States Ambassador to the United Nations
United States Mission to the United Nations
799 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
 
Dear Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield,
 
We write to thank you and the entire Biden Administration for your dedication to combating antisemitism, both globally and here in the United States. We commend the Administration for the development of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and for its practical, action-oriented framing. This strategy embodies the administration's unwavering commitment to fighting antisemitism while protecting free speech and safeguarding the rights of all individuals.

We also applaud the administration's decision not to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in this strategy and to instead look to several definitions of antisemitism. Together, these definitions serve as a valuable tool to raise awareness and increase understanding of antisemitism. We believe the U.S. National Strategy properly uses all tools at the Administration’s disposal while maintaining a focus on specific and direct actions to counter antisemitism. We hope this inclusive and effective model to counter antisemitism will be used across the globe.

The gold standard set by the National Strategy should set the tone for the United States’ policies abroad and, as the United Nations develops its own plan to combat antisemitism, we urge you to push for the UN to implement a similar comprehensive, nuanced and action-based approach.
 
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We trust in your dedication to promoting human rights, fostering dialogue, and countering antisemitism. We look forward to working with you to ensure that any global efforts to combat antisemitism are grounded in principles of freedom, fairness, and justice.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky

Congressman  Colin Allred

Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Congressman Jamaal Bowman

Congressman Greg Casar

Congressman Joaquin Castro

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke

Congressman Steve Cohen

Congressman Lloyd Doggett

Congressman Dwight Evans

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher

Congressman Raúl Grijalva

Congressman Henry Johnson

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren

Congressman James McGovern

Congresswoman Gwen Moore

Congressman Donald Payne

Congressman Jamie Raskin

Congressman Paul Tonko

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton

Cc: Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt
Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism
United States Department of State
2201 C St NW
Washington, DC 20520

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.”