Pro-Palestinian Activist Revealed as White Jewish Woman with Family in Israel

Hana Gane, a prominent activist who presented herself for years as a Black Palestinian-Tunisian, has admitted to fabricating her identity. The 34-year-old high school teacher from Philadelphia confessed in a statement to the New York Post that she lied about her heritage and has no Palestinian or Tunisian roots. Her parents, who live in Israel, are reportedly from Virginia.

Gane allegedly used makeup to darken her skin and adopted different accents to support her false persona. Her exposure has caused shock among pro-Palestinian circles in the U.S. She was known for her anti-Israel activism, including participating in protests described as pro-Hamas. During a demonstration outside a Jewish bakery in Philadelphia about two months after the October 7th attacks, Gane stated that "the lives of every shahid are precious" and that Palestinians should be met with the same energy as a child throwing a stone at an Israeli tank.

An organization called Canary Mission labeled the protest a "pro-Hamas rally." Accuracy in Media, another group, ran a truck with a message calling Gane "Philadelphia's leading antisemite" and displayed it near her home and school. Gane also reportedly shared posts mocking a Jewish teacher concerned about "From the river to the sea" slogans and expressed inspiration from a burning McDonald's, linking to a site listing Jewish-owned businesses for potential boycotts.

Despite the revelation of her true identity, Gane stated that her views and stance against Israel remain unchanged. She had previously claimed to be part of the Palestinian, Tunisian, and Black communities.