Ms. Rachel, also known as Rachel Accurso, has pledged to donate $1 million US to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), matching a similar donation by rapper Macklemore. This decision came after Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour due to his pro-Palestinian remarks. Rachel made the announcement through an Instagram post, urging other wealthy white celebrities to follow suit and speak out against the situation in Gaza.
Emphasizing the importance of protecting children and human rights, Rachel highlighted the tragic loss of over 20,000 Palestinian children and ongoing violence. As a global ambassador for PCRF, she has consistently advocated for the well-being and rights of children in Gaza, leveraging her substantial YouTube following of over 21 million subscribers.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, expressed his appreciation for Rachel’s donation, commenting with love. He had recently declared that he would donate his entire $1-million earnings from Sheeran’s tour to six organizations supporting the Palestinian cause, following his removal for expressing solidarity with Palestinians during a concert.
The Grammy-winning artist faced backlash and was dropped from the tour after vocalizing his support for Palestine and criticizing Israel’s actions during a performance. Despite the controversy, Macklemore reiterated his message of peace and equality for all human beings.
The situation escalated further when American billionaire Robert Kraft, a supporter of Israel, intervened to prevent Macklemore from performing at a venue he owned, citing concerns of hate speech and divisiveness. This led to a series of events resulting in Macklemore’s exit from the tour and subsequent criticisms directed at Ed Sheeran for his perceived lack of political stance.
In response to mounting pressure, Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and not himself. He expressed his dismay over the conflict in Israel and Palestine, defending his choice to remain publicly neutral while acknowledging the human tragedy unfolding.
Subsequently, Sheeran’s supporting acts withdrew from the tour, leaving him without openers for upcoming shows. Despite the challenges, both Sheeran and Kraft pledged $2 million each towards humanitarian aid in Gaza, following a public challenge from Macklemore. Their joint efforts aim to address the ongoing crisis and foster cooperation in bridging divides.
