Ahmed Moor, an American left-wing activist born in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, announced Monday he’s running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat in Pennsylvania in the 2028 elections. Moor, who supports cutting military aid to Israel and imposing economic sanctions against it, is seeking the seat currently held by Democratic Senator John Fetterman, considered one of the most prominent Israel supporters in his party.
3+“My name is Ahmed Moor and I’m running for US Senate here in Pennsylvania,” Moor declared in a video posted on X. According to him, the campaign aims to end the war in Iran and promote an economic and social agenda including free healthcare, free childcare, and affordable housing.
Moor added that he intends to pursue accountability for what he calls “genocide,” as well as against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities and government corruption. He also promised to work to protect civil liberties in the United States.
My name is Ahmed Moor and I’m running for US Senate here in PA (election 2028). I’m running to end the war in Iran and to promote the dignity agenda: free healthcare, free childcare, and affordable housing.
I’m calling for accountability for genocide, for ICE and for corruption. And finally, for the protection of our civil liberties in America. Join the fight at https://t.co/gM0uBwST6b
— Ahmed Moor (@AhmedMoor) November 9, 2026
Moor, 42, lives in West Philadelphia and works as a writer and business entrepreneur. He was born in Rafah and moved with his family to the United States as a child. His family later lived for about three years in Ramallah, but left when the Second Intifada broke out in 2000. Moor studied at the University of Pennsylvania and later completed a master’s degree in public policy at Harvard University. He worked in finance, journalism, and business development in the Middle East. Today he’s active in left-wing organizations in the United States, but has never held significant elected public office.
3+“Copy the Sanctions Imposed on South Africa”
One of Moor’s central positions is the demand to stop U.S. military aid to Israel and impose broad economic sanctions on it.In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer published today, Moor proposed adopting legislation against Israel similar to the 1986 American law that imposed heavy economic sanctions on South Africa during the apartheid era.”We just need to copy and paste the legislation,” Moor said, explaining that it needs to be adapted to the reality of 2026. According to him, the United States should impose sanctions on Israel until Palestinians receive equal rights.
3+Moor also attacked Israel’s Jewish character. “We need to get rid of the idea that Israel is a place where Jews have superior rights over Palestinians,” he said. He went on to accuse the United States of being complicit in what he calls “Israeli apartheid”: “We fund it. We sustain it. We defend it.” Moor joined the Philadelphia chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. According to him, his decision stemmed in part from the organization’s stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Fetterman: “I’ll Be the Last One Standing with Israel”
Facing Moor is Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who has become one of the most staunch Israel supporters in Washington since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Fetterman has stood by Israel throughout the war, defended its actions against Hamas, and opposed attempts to reduce U.S. military aid. His positions have led to repeated clashes with the progressive wing of his party, but have also earned him support from Republicans.
Last April, Fetterman told Fox News he wouldn’t give up his support for Israel even if he’s left alone in the Democratic Party. “If Democrats continue to abandon Israel, I’ll be the last one standing with it if that’s what it takes,” he said.In July, he made clear that if the Democratic Party officially becomes an anti-Israel party, he’d be willing to leave it. According to him, support for Israel is a matter of principle that’s not subject to political compromise.
Fetterman has also met several times with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and continued to defend Israel while other senior members of his party sharply criticized it. The gap between him and the party’s left wing has become one of the central issues accompanying his tenure.
“Invader from Rafah”: The Online Storm
Moor’s announcement sparked harsh reactions on social media, especially among users identified with the American right. Eric Daugherty, Chief Content Officer of Right Line News and Florida’s Voice, posted the announcement and attacked the new candidate. “Imagine… an invader from Rafah,” Daugherty wrote, presenting Moor’s background and his positions against Israel.
He went on to detail Moor’s proposals, including ending military aid to Israel, imposing economic sanctions similar to those previously imposed on South Africa, government health insurance for all, free childcare, and a wealth tax on billionaires. Daugherty also highlighted Moor’s ties to the Democratic Party’s left wing, including his hiring of a fundraising manager who previously worked for Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush.
At the end of the tweet, Daugherty called for action to prevent Moor’s election to the Senate. Another sharp response came from a user who accused Moor of acting as a Hamas puppet and expressed concern that despite his positions, he might get elected. This is the user’s accusation, with no evidence presented of Moor’s connection to the terrorist organization.
3+Inspired by Mamdani and El-Sayed
Moor doesn’t hide his identification with the socialist wing of the Democratic Party. In the Philadelphia Inquirer interview, he said he draws inspiration from, among others, New York City Councilman Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.He also recruited Rashah Mubarak to his campaign, who previously worked on the campaigns of progressive Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush, who stood out in their opposition to Israel’s policies. Alongside his policy positions, Moor proposes a series of economic measures identified with the American left, including government health insurance for all citizens, public funding for childcare, and imposing a national wealth tax on billionaires.
However, Moor lacks experience in elected public office at the state or federal level. He admitted he faces a tough battle against candidates with more political experience and greater resources. The Pennsylvania Senate election will be held in November 2028. Fetterman himself hasn’t yet announced whether he’ll run for another term, and additional Democratic candidates may join the race.
The challenge Moor seeks to launch illustrates the controversy within the Democratic Party over relations with Israel: on one side Fetterman, who continues to defend Israel even at the cost of confrontation with his party, and on the other Moor, who seeks to make opposition to military aid to Israel and the demand for sanctions against it a central part of his campaign.