Beloved Kids' YouTuber Faces Backlash for Speaking Out About Gaza Genocide

2025-06-02 00:00:17.73

Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, a popular children's YouTube personality, has become a target for pro-Israel right-wingers after speaking out about the genocide in Gaza. She initially announced a fundraiser for children in Gaza and other war zones in May 2024 and has since consistently highlighted the crisis on social media, reaching tens of millions of followers. This activism has drawn significant backlash, including an article in the New York Post labeling her a "Woke brainwasher" and a request from the pro-Israel group StopAntisemitism to the Department of Justice to investigate her for potentially acting as a foreign agent due to her posts. Accurso's advocacy for Palestinian children, juxtaposed against the ongoing violence and suffering in Gaza, has sparked a debate about free speech, humanitarian concerns, and the portrayal of Palestinian children in the conflict. Critics accuse her of disseminating propaganda, while Accurso maintains her focus is on the well-being of all children. The controversy also highlights the broader political climate, with Accurso's support for vulnerable groups and her celebration of diversity attracting criticism from conservatives. The article concludes by noting the relative silence of other more powerful celebrities on the issue, emphasizing the risk Accurso has taken by speaking out.