Anti-Israel socialist candidate Melat Kiros defeats 30-year incumbent in Colorado primary

Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old DSA candidate who calls Israel an 'apartheid state' and Gaza a 'genocide,' unseated Congresswoman Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st District Democratic primary. With deep-blue Denver's seat virtually assured in November, Israel advocates warn of a new anti-Israel voice in Congress.

Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member and former lawyer fired for defending pro-Palestine protesters, defeated 30-year incumbent Congresswoman Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st District Democratic primary, according to reports from RAIR and other outlets. Kiros, an Ethiopian immigrant and PhD student, ran on a platform that includes a full arms embargo on Israel, labeling the Jewish state an 'apartheid' regime and Gaza a 'genocide.' She has described the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre as an 'inevitable consequence of apartheid.'

As The Zioneer reported earlier today, Kiros is the third anti-Israel socialist candidate in a week to unseat a sitting Democratic House member in a primary, following similar upsets in New York and Michigan. The district, which encompasses most of Denver, is heavily Democratic, all but guaranteeing her victory in the November general election.

Kiros is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, the Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party, and other far-left groups. Her campaign emphasized door-knocking and phone-banking operations that overwhelmed DeGette's 30-year organizational machine. The result raises concerns among pro-Israel groups about a growing bloc in Congress that opposes military aid to Israel and seeks to redefine U.S.-Israel relations.

3 developments

1. 3 hours ago · 16:30 · 1 JulLatest

   Melat Kiros unseated 30-year incumbent Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st District.

2. 14:55 · 1 Jul

   Identifies winner Malt Kirus and defeated 30-year incumbent Diana DeGette.

3. 06:50 · 1 Jul

   Progressive anti-Israel candidate wins Colorado Democratic primary

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