# Philly teacher admits years of lying about Palestinian and Black identity > Philadelphia teacher Hannah Gann confesses she falsely claimed Palestinian and Black heritage for years, causing harm to racial justice movements. - Title: Philly teacher admits years of lying about Palestinian and… - Summary: Philadelphia teacher Hannah Gann confesses she falsely claimed Palestinian and Black heritage for years, causing harm to racial justice movements. Hannah… - Keywords: hannah gann, seahawks, seattle, nfl, philly, palestine, racial justice, activism, identity deception, workshop school, keziah ridgeway, school district - Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/philly-teacher-activist-admits-lied-black-palestinian - Published: 2026-09-23T21:01:44.222+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: hannah gann, seahawks, seattle, nfl, philly, palestine, racial justice, activism, identity deception, workshop school, keziah ridgeway, school district ## Identity deception revealed Hannah Gann, a white Jewish woman, admitted lying about being Palestinian and Black for years to cultivate a false image. > I lied about my identity and have been lying for years ## Activist groups respond Racial justice groups called Gann's actions a betrayal and will no longer work with her or allow her at protests. > We are stunned, saddened and angered by this betrayal ## Background deception Gann claimed Palestinian, Tunisian and Black heritage while being a white woman of Jewish descent from an Israeli settler family. > I have no Palestinian or Tunisian heritage. I am a white woman of significant privilege and wealth ## Impact on activism Gann's deception has drawn criticism from right-wing groups who parked billboards outside her school with antisemitic messages. > Hannah Gann: 10th Grade Teacher & Philadelphia’s Leading Antisemite ## Friendship with Keziah Gann worked closely with teacher Keziah Ridgeway, who was disciplined by the school district for pro-Palestinian activism. > She was speaking up for the Black community. She was speaking up for the Palestinian community ## Gann's apology Gann apologized for her deception, saying it has become a 'sick, deluded distraction' from causes she supported. > I recognize it's far too late for me to mitigate all the damage I've done ## Ridgeway's perspective Ridgeway discovered Gann's deception only after activists approached her with evidence, having trusted her for years. > I acted when I had concrete evidence, and it is because I acted that she posted that public statement ## Organizations' response Racial justice groups stated Gann's admission is not accountability and are reviewing her access to resources. > We hope that support will not be used to discredit the people who acted in good faith ## Gann's justification Gann claimed she only lied about herself and believed her actions were justified because she was not compromising others' safety. > If I ever spoke on something publicly, taught it at a political education event or shared learning resources, they were always as true and as genuine as I could ensure ## School district reaction The school district is providing support to students and staff but will not comment on personnel matters or discipline. > These posts reference the employee's involvement in an external group ## Historical comparison Gann's deception draws parallels to Rachel Dolezal, who posed as Black for years before being exposed in 2015. > Rachel Dolezal was a white civil rights activist and college instructor who posed as a Black woman for years ## Gann's future plans Gann plans to make a video explaining her mental state and how lies grew into full deception. > Maybe one day I'll make a video explaining what was going through my mind ## Community impact Gann's deception has harmed Palestinians, Black communities, and organizations that trusted her with their resources. > We recognize the profound harm this has caused; Palestinians whose identity and struggle were appropriated ## Key takeaway Hannah Gann, a white Jewish woman, admitted lying about being Palestinian and Black to manipulate racial justice causes and has been expelled from activist groups.