Activist Posing as Palestinian Revealed as Wealthy Jewish Woman

An anti-Israel activist in Philadelphia, Hannah Gaan, who for years presented herself as Palestinian, Black, and Tunisian, has been exposed by her own allies as having fabricated her identity. Investigations by her associates and the Philadelphia Inquirer revealed that her supposed Palestinian grandfather was born in Baltimore, and that her relatives live in Israel. Gaan, a teacher at the Workshop School and a member of groups like Philly Educators for Palestine, had also claimed financial hardship to solicit donations, a claim she has now admitted was false, stating she is a wealthy individual.

Confronted with inconsistencies, Gaan confessed to lying about her background, admitting, "I lied about my identity and lied for years. I have no Palestinian or Tunisian heritage." She acknowledged deceiving everyone in her life, including her own family, though she maintained her commitment to the causes was genuine.

Her former pro-Palestinian and pro-Black activist organizations expressed shock and anger, calling her actions a "severe betrayal" and expelling her from their ranks. The controversy has drawn comparisons to Rachel Dolezal, the former NAACP chapter president who was exposed for falsely claiming to be Black. Gaan had previously been targeted by Accuracy in Media, which placed a truck outside her school displaying her image with the caption "Hannah Gaan: 10th Grade Teacher and Philadelphia's Leading Anti-Semite."

The Philadelphia school district acknowledged awareness of the publications concerning Gaan and stated that support is being provided to staff and students. It remains unclear if Gaan has been terminated from her teaching position.