Melat Quiroz, a candidate from the Colorado Democratic Socialist Party, recently suggested that the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and October 7 were “inevitable,” attributing this to U.S. and Israeli military actions in the Middle East. In a June 22 interview with Colorado’s next 9 news on Hasan Piker’s Twitch show, Quiroz discussed previous remarks where he described Hamas’s attacks on Israel as “the inevitable result of apartheid, occupation, and decades of neglect.”
He rejected the notion of Israel’s actions being justified, emphasizing the need to grasp the broader context that led to these terrorist acts. “It’s vital to understand the conditions in which violence and war occur, right?” Quiroz stated, pointing out that accusations against Israel for apartheid and occupation have been ongoing and have led to significant grievances on the global stage.
When questioned by journalist Kyle Clark whether the 9/11 attacks could be seen as an “inevitable outcome” of U.S. foreign policy, Quiroz responded, “It was inevitable in the sense that we destabilized many parts of the Middle East, leading people to believe violence was their only recourse.” He stressed that the focus should be on eliminating the root causes of violence.
Quiroz’s views have stirred reactions, particularly from those skeptical of far-left perspectives. He previously lost his job at Sidley Austin in 2023, shortly before launching his campaign. He has also criticized law firms, including his former employer, for their calls to address anti-Semitism on college campuses, explaining that conflating anti-Semitism with calls for abolishing the state of Israel undermines the complexities surrounding Palestinian self-determination. Quiroz argues for a one-state solution where all citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, would be treated equally under the law.
He is part of a growing wave of candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, aiming to challenge established Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections.
