Ms. Rachel, also known as Rachel Accurso, has publicly announced her intention to donate $1 million US to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), matching a similar donation pledged by rapper Macklemore. This decision comes after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour due to his pro-Palestinian remarks during a performance.
In a recent Instagram post, Ms. Rachel urged other wealthy white celebrities to follow suit and speak out against the ongoing crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of protecting children and upholding human rights. With a substantial following on her YouTube channel, which boasts over 21 million subscribers, Ms. Rachel has been a vocal advocate for the rights and well-being of children in Gaza, serving as a global ambassador for PCRF since last September.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, responded to Ms. Rachel’s post with a message of support, expressing his admiration for her actions. The rapper had previously announced on Instagram his decision to donate his $1-million net earnings from Sheeran’s tour to organizations assisting the Palestinian community.
Macklemore’s removal from the tour stemmed from his onstage expressions of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, which led to backlash from pro-Israel groups and venue threats to cancel shows. The decision to remove him was reportedly influenced by American billionaire businessman Robert Kraft, a supporter of Israel, who objected to Macklemore’s performance at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.
In response to the escalating situation, Sheeran shared a statement clarifying that the promoter’s decision, not his own, led to Macklemore’s departure from the tour. While acknowledging the complexity of the Israel-Palestine conflict, Sheeran defended his choice to refrain from taking a public stance, emphasizing his personal views on the matter.
Following these developments, all remaining supporting acts on Sheeran’s tour decided to withdraw, leaving the tour without openers. Despite the challenges, both Sheeran and Kraft have pledged $2 million each towards humanitarian aid in Gaza, aiming to address the pressing crisis in the region and foster collaboration among venue owners to support relief efforts.
