The Jewish Council for Public Affairs called on Democratic and Republican candidates on Thursday to reject antisemitism and political violence, including within their own political coalitions, ahead of November’s midterm elections, warning that conspiracy theories about Jewish influence and efforts to exclude Jews from public life have become increasingly normalized.

In an open letter, the group urged candidates to condemn harassment and intimidation, reject conspiracy theories about Jewish control of government and elections and make clear that those promoting such views have no place in their political coalitions.

JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick said antisemitism has become normalized in American politics, “with Jews too often treated as political footballs” amid increasing hate and violence. She said leaders in both parties have a responsibility to reject rhetoric and conspiracy theories that can fuel attacks against Jewish communities.

The letter emphasized that criticism of Israel, AIPAC and U.S. aid to Israel is not inherently antisemitic, but warned against holding Jewish Americans responsible for Israeli government policies or invoking conspiracy theories about Jewish money and power. It also criticized political litmus tests that exclude Jews over their connections to Israel and efforts to divide the community into “Good Jew” and “Bad Jew” camps.

While affirming the right to protest, JCPA warned that chanting “globalize the intifada” outside a synagogue or celebrating Hamas could constitute intimidation when directed at Jewish communities rather than policymakers. The letter also urged candidates to reject Nazi symbols, threats and harassment, regardless of the political cause behind them.

JCPA cited as one example Florida Republican state House nominee Marshall Rawson, whose attendance at the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., has not largely been condemned by fellow Republicans. The organization also raised concerns about antisemitic tropes and efforts to exclude Jews from political spaces on the left amid debates over Israel and pro-Israel organizations.

The letter cited the firebombing of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home and attacks at the Capital Jewish Museum, in Boulder, Colo., and at a Michigan synagogue as examples of violence targeting Jewish communities. JCPA argued that protecting Jewish Americans is inseparable from protecting other minority communities and democratic institutions, calling on political leaders to apply the same standards regardless of party.