Pro-Palestinian Activist Hannah Gann Admits Fabricating Palestinian and Black Identity

A significant scandal has erupted in Philadelphia surrounding Hannah Gann, a prominent pro-Palestinian activist and school teacher, who has admitted to fabricating her ethnic and racial background. After years of active involvement in pro-Palestinian advocacy, Gann confessed that she has no Palestinian or Tunisian roots and is, in fact, a white Jewish woman. The truth emerged after two organizations she collaborated with, Philly Educators for Palestine (PEFP) and the Racial Justice Organizing Committee (RJOC), began investigating her. During a lengthy conversation, Gann admitted to her deception, leading both organizations to sever ties with her, citing a betrayal of trust.

Reports indicate Gann claimed to have a Palestinian grandfather, but documentation suggests he was born in Baltimore. She also reportedly told associates she was financially strained due to remittances sent to relatives in Palestine. In 2024 event materials, she was identified as Palestinian-American. Furthermore, colleagues claim she identified as Black and Tunisian at various times. A former college classmate told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Gann, during college, openly presented herself as white and Jewish and spoke of family in the West Bank. This classmate alleges Gann later altered her appearance with makeup and self-tanner to appear darker and adopted an African American style of speech.

The organizations that worked with Gann stated she has Jewish heritage and comes from a settler family. In a video statement, Gann acknowledged she "hid the truth or outright lied" about her background. Her case has drawn comparisons to Rachel Dolezal, an American of European descent who falsely claimed to be Black, and Gann has been dubbed the "Palestinian Rachel Dolezal" on social media.

In her apology, Gann accepted responsibility for the deception but urged that her actions not detract from other activists or the cause. She called for continued attention to "Palestinian voices speaking about what is happening in Gaza."