Ms. Rachel, known as Rachel Accurso, has announced a donation of $1 million US to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), matching the contribution promised by rapper Macklemore. This decision came after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour due to his pro-Palestinian statements.
In an Instagram post, Ms. Rachel urged other wealthy white celebrities to follow suit and condemn the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where she highlighted the deaths of over 20,000 Palestinian children. She emphasized the importance of using privilege and platforms to advocate for children’s rights.
As a global ambassador for PCRF since last September, Ms. Rachel has been actively promoting the protection and well-being of children in Gaza through her popular YouTube channel with over 21 million subscribers.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, responded to Ms. Rachel’s post with a message of support. He recently revealed his decision to donate his $1 million net earnings from Sheeran’s tour to organizations aiding Palestinians.
Macklemore’s removal from the tour followed his public support for Palestinians during a concert, where he expressed solidarity with the people in Gaza and the West Bank. This led to backlash from pro-Israel groups and venue threats.
After the controversy, Sheeran faced criticism for his alleged apolitical stance. He clarified that Macklemore’s exit was not his decision, and despite trying to mediate, the venues remained firm in their stance.
Sheeran expressed dismay over the conflict in Israel and Palestine, pointing out the human tragedy caused by suffering on both sides. He defended his choice not to publicly take a stance, emphasizing that he cares about the issue privately.
Following these events, all remaining supporting acts on Sheeran’s tour decided to quit, leaving the tour without any openers. Sheeran and Robert Kraft have each pledged $2 million US towards humanitarian aid in Gaza, responding to Macklemore’s challenge to support the region. Kraft mentioned that Sheeran initiated the pledge and plans to collaborate further to address the crisis.
