Activist Exposed as White Jewish Woman After Posing as Black Palestinian
Hannah Gann, a teacher and prominent pro-Palestine activist, apologized after admitting she misrepresented her identity for years.
A Philadelphia teacher and activist, who gained prominence for her outspoken advocacy for Palestine, has apologized after being revealed as a white Jewish woman who had allegedly misrepresented her background for years. Hannah Gann, a teacher with the Philadelphia School District, had presented herself as a Black Palestinian-American activist, particularly in the wake of the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Her true identity and background were exposed by the Racial Justice Organizing Committee and Philly Educators for Palestine, organizations of which Gann was a member. According to a report compiled by the Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC), members questioned Gann about her background, leading to her admission that she is a white woman of Jewish heritage with family in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Gann, who reportedly used makeup to darken her skin and adopted a different accent at protests, has apologized via Instagram. She admitted to hiding or lying about her background to friends, fellow organizers, and even her family. "There is not a single person on this planet... who knew what I was doing," Gann stated in her apology video. She acknowledged being "a white woman of significant privilege and wealth."
Gann had been a visible figure in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, previously going viral for a speech that supported Hamas and called for action against police brutality. In that speech, she said, "When a Palestinian child picks up a rock or a slingshot in the face of Israeli tanks or machine guns, we owe them that same energy. We owe them to take it to these streets and f*** the police until Palestine is free."
In early 2024, Gann reportedly led a "teach-in" about schools in Gaza, where her biography identified her as Palestinian-American. The PPC report also found that Gann had referenced a family in Palestine, despite her relatives living in the West Bank, and spoke of a Palestinian-born grandfather who was actually born in Baltimore.
Sources indicate Gann had also solicited donations, claiming she was sending money to her family in Palestine. A former classmate from the University of Pennsylvania stated that Gann identified as a white Jewish woman with family in the West Bank during college. This classmate observed a transformation in Gann after she returned from the Peace Corps in Rwanda, after which she became deeply involved in activism, allegedly altering her appearance and accent.
The PPC report raised concerns about Gann's role as a teacher working with predominantly Black youth, suggesting she manipulated them based on a fabricated identity. "Her access to vulnerable young people, especially Black youth, is deeply concerning, given her pattern of lying and manipulation," the group stated.
Despite the exposure, Gann maintained that her actions do not invalidate the Palestinian cause or other activist efforts. "This also extends to the genocide and humanitarian crisis in Sudan... the genocide in Congo, the mortally urgent need to address ICE and police brutality here as well as the prison industrial complex, imminent Philly school closings, and more," she wrote in her apology. She urged people not to disengage from important causes due to her dishonesty.
A spokesperson for the Philadelphia School District acknowledged awareness of social media posts concerning an employee and external advocacy. The district could not comment on potential consequences but confirmed students were receiving support.