YouTube star Ms Rachel has announced she will match rapper Macklemore’s $1m donation to organizations supporting Palestinians, calling on other public figures to follow suit. The children’s entertainer, whose full name is Rachel Accurso, made the pledge in an Instagram post, citing the deaths of over 20,000 Palestinian children in the ongoing conflict.
Moral obligation and platform use
Accurso wrote: “Over 20,000 precious Palestinian children have been killed, and children continue to be killed every day.” She stated that her donation will go to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. “We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect children and human rights,” she added.
With over 21 million YouTube subscribers, Accurso has been vocal about the hardships faced by Gaza’s young people amid the war with Israel. She encouraged “every wealthy white celebrity” to match her donation, positioning herself as the latest public figure to back Macklemore after he was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
Macklemore’s tour exit and backlash
Macklemore was fired as the opening act on Sheeran’s Loop tour after saying “Free Palestine” on stage at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 4 September. During a two-minute speech, he declared: “Free Palestine! I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them.” He subsequently pledged to donate the entirety of his earnings from the tour to several organizations focused on the Palestinian people.
His remarks drew criticism from Israel-aligned groups. Singer Pink called for his removal from the tour, referencing a 2014 incident where Macklemore wore a costume decried for resembling Jewish caricature. Macklemore apologized for the costume at the time. Pink later clarified on Instagram that she was not speaking on behalf of the Israeli government but wanted to advocate for Jewish concertgoers who may have been alarmed by the rapper’s remarks.
At a second tour date on 5 September, Macklemore directly addressed Jewish audience members, saying: “Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.”
Sheeran and Kraft donations
Ed Sheeran maintained that the decision to fire Macklemore was led by stadium owners, including Gillette Stadium and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Sheeran wrote: “I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
Kraft and Sheeran are both donating $2m each to Palestinian relief funds, Kraft said Wednesday, although it is unclear which organizations their funds will support. Four supporting acts, including American singer Finneas and Danish pop band Lukas Graham, have quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
