JCPA Calls on Democratic and Republican Candidates, Political Leaders to Reject Antisemitism and Hate in All Forms

NEW YORK, October 08, 2026 — Entering the final weeks of the U.S. midterm elections, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is today calling on Democratic and Republican candidates and political leaders to draw a clear line against antisemitism, extremism, and violence across the ideological spectrum — rejecting rhetoric and behavior that reinforce conspiracy theories and bigotry.

In an open letter published today, JCPA provides candidates with clear guidance on how to avoid antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories and the broader, increasingly-normalized extremism and hate that threaten Jewish — and all — communities and our democracy. The letter calls on public officials and candidates to speak clearly, act consistently, and ensure that their campaigns, supporters and public platforms do not, intentionally or not, further reinforce division and bigotry.

The letter comes as hate and extremism have become increasingly normalized in American politics. Recently, Republicans have seen a litany of candidates who have directly trafficked in white supremacist hate. Meanwhile, Democratic campaigns and leaders are grappling with the line between criticism of Israeli policy, leaders, and/or pro-Israel organizations and antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes, as well as litmus tests and harassment of Jews in certain left-wing spaces.

“Over the past decade, we’ve seen antisemitism normalized in our politics — with Jews too often treated as political footballs as we face increasing hate and violence,” said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of JCPA. “Candidates and all political leaders in both parties have a fundamental responsibility to draw a line — rejecting the kind of rhetoric, tropes, and conspiracy theories we know directly fuel violence and threaten our communities and our democracy.”

Spitalnick previously helped lead the successful lawsuit against the neo-Nazis and white supremacists responsible for  the August 2017 violence in Charlottesville – a harbinger of the increasingly-normalized “replacement” and “invasion” conspiracy theories that have fueled a cycle of antisemitic, white supremacist violence in Pittsburgh, Poway, El Paso, Buffalo, on January 6th, and beyond.

JCPA also points to the growing prevalence of conspiracy theories about Jewish or “Zionist” control and power across the political spectrum, which have contributed to harassment, marginalization, and violence targeting Jews — including the firebombing of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home and attacks at the Capital Jewish Museum, in Boulder, and at a Michigan synagogue just this year.

The letter emphasizes that antisemitism cannot be viewed in isolation. The same conspiracy theories, dehumanizing rhetoric, and political violence that target Jewish communities also threaten Black, Latino, Muslim, LGBTQ+, immigrant and other historically marginalized communities.

JCPA is calling on public officials to speak clearly and consistently against hate and political violence, reject intimidation and harassment, hold candidates and colleagues accountable, and refuse to normalize conspiracy theories, collective blame, or rhetoric and symbols that threaten or dehumanize any community.

“These are not partisan tests,” Spitalnick said. “They are basic standards for anyone asking the public to entrust them with political power.”

Read the full open letter here.

###

About JCPA: The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) convenes and mobilizes partners and coalitions across communities to counter antisemitism and broader hate and extremism, protect democracy, and advance our shared values — recognizing that Jewish safety and inclusive democracy are inextricably linked. JCPA envisions a just and inclusive American democracy in which Jewish and all communities thrive in safety, dignity, and freedom.