Philadelphia teacher admits to lying about being Palestinian and Black: ‘I hid the truth’

Local advocacy groups say they have cut ties with Hannah Gann, who ‘fully lied about her identity and background’

Philadelphia teacher admits to lying about being Palestinian and Black: ‘I hid the truth’

TL;DR

  • Philadelphia teacher Hannah Gann admitted to fabricating her identity as Palestinian, Tunisian, and Black.
  • Activist groups Philly Educators for Palestine (PEFP) and Racial Justice Organizing Committee (RJOC) have cut ties with Gann.
  • Gann confessed after being questioned by members of both organizations.
  • PEFP and RJOC stated Gann is a white woman of Jewish heritage with an Israeli settler family.
  • Gann released a statement acknowledging her lies but defended the broader pro-Palestine movement.
  • Evidence suggests Gann had been involved in pro-Palestinian activism for years, including as a founder of PEFP.
  • A former classmate alleged Gann transformed her appearance and speech after returning from the Peace Corps.
  • The Philadelphia school district is aware of the situation and offering support to staff and students at The Workshop School.