Jewish leaders press Kiros over antisemitism claims
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Melat Kiros after a unity rally on July 2 in Denver. Photo: Timothy Hurst/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Some Jewish leaders in Colorado are calling for more engagement from congressional candidate Melat Kiros as she goes from political newcomer to frontrunner in the 1st District race.
Why it matters: The tensions arrive amid heightened concern over antisemitic hate crimes locally and nationwide, as well as broader debate over where criticism of Israel ends and antisemitism begins.
State of play: Brandon Rattiner, senior director at the Jewish Community Relations Council, says he wants Kiros to "have the political courage" to address concerns among Jewish constituents.
- Rattiner says Kiros should more directly acknowledge Jewish Coloradans who say they feel targeted by antisemitism and should make clear it's harmful: "Jews are just feeling pushed out of public spaces."
Flashback: Kiros drew backlash from fellow progressive candidates in June after she declined to characterize the 2025 Boulder firebombing as antisemitic in a 9News interview.
- She later called the event a "horrific attack on a group of Jewish people," in a CPR News interview.
- "Anybody that is asked something about that firebombing that in any way, shape, or form downplays it is a concern," Aaron Brooks of the pro-Zionist Jewish Alliance of Colorado tells us.
Context: The war in Gaza is prompting broader debates in the U.S. over Israel's actions, Zionism and antisemitism, including among Jewish Americans.
- Kiros argued in a 2023 open letter that criticism of Israel shouldn't be conflated with antisemitism.
- Rattiner and other local Jewish leaders interviewed by Axios say critiquing Israeli policies is fair game.
- Kiros has accused Israel of "engaging in apartheid" and "committing a genocide" against Palestinian people, the latter a claim some human rights organizations have also leveled against Israel, the AP reports.
Yes, but: Rattiner says questioning Israel's right to exist can cross toward antisemitism, while Brooks says forms of anti-Zionism can become antisemitic.
- "You can criticize Israel as long as you are criticizing Israel in the same way that you might criticize any other country," Brooks adds.
What they're saying: "Melat has and will continue to meet with members of the Jewish community across a range of perspectives to deepen relationships and build trust," Kiros' campaign tells Axios in a statement.
Rattiner says he appreciates that Kiros has held private discussions with Jewish community members, including himself.
The other side: Independent candidate Shimon Blau, who is Jewish, launched his congressional bid to oppose Kiros' candidacy, whose politics he calls "extreme."
- Though he describes himself as a moderate alternative, recently surfaced social media posts show Blau mocking progressives and sharing posts with conservative language, 9News reports.
- Blau told the news station his views "have changed over the years."
The bottom line: While some disagreements remain, Kiros and some of her Jewish critics are continuing conversations about their concerns and her relationship with Jewish residents.