Ms. Rachel Pledges $1 Million for Palestinian Relief, Matching Macklemore and Challenging Wealthy Celebrities to Act

 

 

 

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Children’s educator and YouTube star Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, says she will donate $1 million to Palestinian relief efforts, matching rapper Macklemore’s newly announced contribution.

Accurso announced the pledge on Instagram, saying she would match Macklemore’s donation and urging “every wealthy white celebrity” to contribute and publicly support Palestinian children and human rights.

Her $1 million contribution is expected to go to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, a nonprofit providing medical care, humanitarian assistance and essential supplies to children across Palestine and the wider region.

Macklemore had announced one day earlier that he would donate $1 million in earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations providing medical, food and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

Those organizations include the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and American Near East Refugee Aid, according to his announcement.

The rapper made the pledge after being removed from Sheeran’s U.S. tour following performances in which he voiced support for Palestinians and performed “Hind’s Hall,” a song associated with pro-Palestinian activism.

Sheeran has said Macklemore’s removal was not his personal decision, describing the situation as involving tour promoters and venue pressure while saying he had tried to find a compromise.

Accurso’s response quickly drew attention because her audience is primarily families with young children, making her one of the most prominent children’s entertainers to publicly support Palestinian humanitarian causes.

The creator, known online as Ms. Rachel, has more than 20 million YouTube subscribers and built her following through educational videos focused on language development, songs and early-childhood learning.

Her latest pledge continues a pattern of public advocacy. Accurso has repeatedly highlighted Palestinian children, supported humanitarian organizations and used interviews and social media to discuss the consequences of the Gaza conflict.

In announcing the donation, Accurso cited the large number of Palestinian children reported killed and said wealthy public figures had a moral responsibility to use both their money and visibility.

UNICEF reported in its September 2026 appeal that at least 21,700 children had been reported killed in Gaza as of June 30, alongside tens of thousands more reported injured.

The agency also said humanitarian needs remain severe despite a ceasefire announced in October 2025, with continued violence, displacement, damaged infrastructure, malnutrition risks and major gaps in health and education services.

Accurso described the situation in Gaza as a “genocide,” language also used by some rights advocates and international experts, while Israel rejects that characterization and says its military campaign targets Hamas.

The genocide allegation remains the subject of proceedings before the International Court of Justice in South Africa’s case against Israel; the court has issued provisional measures but no final merits judgment.

Macklemore publicly praised Accurso’s announcement and shared it with his followers, extending a donation campaign that has become intertwined with the controversy surrounding his departure from Sheeran’s tour.

Several other performers have also withdrawn from scheduled appearances on Sheeran’s tour following Macklemore’s removal, turning the dispute into a broader debate over political expression, artists’ responsibilities and venue control.

For the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, donations support programs including medical treatment, surgeries, food, clean water, mental-health services and essential supplies for children and families affected by conflict and displacement.

Accurso’s decision also reflects the growing role of online creators in humanitarian fundraising, where large digital audiences can rapidly turn personal statements into campaigns attracting donations, attention and public debate.

Her pledge brings the combined publicly announced donations from Accurso and Macklemore to $2 million, while keeping attention focused on humanitarian assistance for Palestinian children amid an intensely disputed political conflict.