Ms. Rachel, also known as Rachel Accurso, has pledged to donate $1 million to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), matching a similar donation made by rapper Macklemore. The announcement was made through an Instagram post where she urged other wealthy white celebrities to follow suit and speak out against the crisis in Gaza.
Expressing concern for the plight of Palestinian children, Ms. Rachel emphasized the importance of using privilege and platforms to advocate for their rights and protection. As a global ambassador for PCRF, she has actively used her YouTube channel, which has over 21 million subscribers, to raise awareness about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, recently pledged to donate his $1-million earnings from Ed Sheeran’s tour to organizations supporting the Palestinian cause. This decision came after he was removed from the tour for expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments during a concert.
In response to the backlash, Macklemore reiterated his message of peace and love for all, emphasizing the need for dignity, respect, and equality for all individuals. The controversy surrounding his removal from the tour led to a wave of criticism and support from various groups.
Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran faced criticism for his handling of the situation and his perceived apolitical stance. Despite expressing concern for the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Sheeran defended his decision to remain neutral publicly. Following these events, all supporting acts, including Irish folk band Boega, decided to quit the tour.
In a show of solidarity, both Ed Sheeran and American businessman Robert Kraft have each pledged $2 million for humanitarian aid in Gaza, responding to a challenge from Macklemore to support the region during the ongoing crisis. Kraft highlighted the importance of working together to address the humanitarian challenges faced by the people in Gaza.