Ms. Rachel, a prominent American YouTube personality and educator, has announced a significant donation of $1 million US to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF). This donation matches the pledge made by rapper Macklemore after he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour for expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments during a performance.
In an Instagram post, Ms. Rachel, also known as Rachel Accurso, urged other wealthy white celebrities to join her in supporting the cause and speaking out against the ongoing crisis in Gaza. She emphasized the importance of using privilege and platforms to advocate for the protection and rights of children, citing the tragic loss of over 20,000 Palestinian children’s lives and the continued threats they face.
Ms. Rachel, with a massive following of over 21 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, was appointed as a global ambassador for PCRF last year. She has been actively raising awareness about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and advocating for the well-being of children in the region.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, responded positively to Ms. Rachel’s gesture, expressing his admiration for her actions. The renowned rapper had previously announced his decision to donate his entire $1 million net earnings from the tour to organizations supporting the Palestinian cause, following his removal from the tour for his public statements.
The controversy surrounding Macklemore’s remarks led to backlash from pro-Israel groups and venue threats if he was not removed from the tour. The situation escalated when American billionaire Robert Kraft, a supporter of Israel, played a role in Macklemore’s removal from the tour. Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, made it clear that he did not want Macklemore performing at his stadium due to concerns of spreading hate speech.
In response to the unfolding events, Ed Sheeran, the headlining artist of the tour, faced criticism for his perceived lack of political engagement. Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and not himself, stating his attempt to mediate the situation with no success.
Following a series of developments, including the withdrawal of all supporting acts from the tour, Sheeran and Kraft both pledged $2 million US each towards humanitarian aid in Gaza, in response to a challenge set by Macklemore. The collaborative effort aims to address the ongoing crisis and build bridges in the conflict-ridden region.
