Ms. Rachel to Match Macklemore's Donation to Palestinian Causes

<p>Children's YouTube star Ms. Rachel announced on Thursday that she plans to match singer Macklemore's $1 million donation to Palestinian causes and urged "every wealthy White celebrity" to do the same.</p><p>In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Macklemore shared his plans to donate his earnings from the Loop Tour with Ed Sheeran to six organizations, including the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA).</p><p>The 43-year-old rapper was removed from Sheeran's tour on Monday after he called for a "Free Palestine" and performed his song "Hind’s Hall" during his opening performance at MetLife Stadium earlier this month.</p><p>In response, Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, wrote on Instagram that she plans to match Macklemore's donation and specifically called on White celebrities to do the same.</p><p>"I will match Macklemore's donation and I invite every wealthy White celebrity to match it and speak out against the genocide in Gaza," Accurso wrote, adding that she will be donating to the PCRF.</p><p>"Over 20,000 precious Palestinian children have been killed and children continue to be killed every day. We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect children and human rights," she stated.</p><p>Macklemore has challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match his donation after Kraft declined to host the rapper at Gillette Stadium due to his activism. Kraft responded that he had already committed $2 million to Palestinian aid, referencing his humanitarian work in the Middle East.</p><p>Accurso was also among several prominent progressives who criticized Sheeran after Macklemore's removal, suggesting that silence on the issue was "racist."</p><p>"If more than 20,000 White children were killed in another part of the world, everyone would be shouting about it at their concerts," Accurso said. "Treating some children’s lives as less worthy of outrage is racist. Silence during a genocide is not neutral."</p><p>Accurso has faced criticism from pro-Israel organizations, which argue that her posts have shared anti-Israel propaganda by accusing Israel of committing "genocide." Rabbi Yaakov Menken, the executive vice president of the Coalition for Jewish Values, commented that Accurso's focus on Gaza children over others suffering from malnutrition across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia raises concerns about her priorities.</p>