Ms. Rachel, also known as Rachel Accurso, has announced a generous donation of $1 million to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), matching a similar pledge made by rapper Macklemore. This decision follows Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour for his pro-Palestinian statements during a concert. In an Instagram post, Ms. Rachel urged other wealthy white celebrities to support the cause and speak out against the ongoing crisis in Gaza that has claimed the lives of over 20,000 Palestinian children.
As a global ambassador for PCRF, Ms. Rachel, a prominent YouTube personality with over 21 million subscribers, has been actively advocating for the rights and protection of children in Gaza. Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, responded to Ms. Rachel’s announcement with words of appreciation.
Macklemore had declared on Instagram his decision to donate his entire $1 million net earnings from the tour to organizations assisting the Palestinian people. The rapper faced backlash and was dropped from the tour after expressing solidarity with Palestinians during a concert and calling for action against the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
In response to the controversy, Macklemore emphasized his message of peace and love for all human beings, stressing the importance of dignity, respect, and equality. The situation escalated when venues threatened to cancel the tour if Macklemore was not removed, with American businessman Robert Kraft playing a key role in coordinating Macklemore’s exit.
Following these events, Ed Sheeran faced criticism for his handling of the situation, with many questioning his apolitical stance. Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter, not himself, and expressed his dismay over the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
In a gesture of solidarity, Kraft and Sheeran each pledged $2 million toward humanitarian aid in Gaza, responding to a public challenge from Macklemore to support the region in crisis. Kraft revealed that Sheeran had contacted him before the challenge, and they now aim to collaborate with other venue owners to address the humanitarian situation.
With the tour now without any opening acts, Sheeran’s upcoming show in Philadelphia faces uncertainties amidst the ongoing developments.
