Ms. Rachel has announced a $1 million donation to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), matching a previous pledge made by rapper Macklemore. The donation was revealed in an Instagram post where Ms. Rachel urged other wealthy white celebrities to support the cause and condemn the ongoing crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of using privilege for the protection of children and human rights.
As a global ambassador for PCRF since last September, Ms. Rachel, known for her popular YouTube channel with over 21 million subscribers, has been actively advocating for the rights and well-being of children in Gaza. Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, responded positively to Ms. Rachel’s announcement on social media.
Macklemore recently declared that he would donate his entire $1 million net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s tour to six organizations aiding the Palestinian people. This decision came after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s tour for expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments during a concert.
The Grammy-winning artist faced backlash from pro-Israel groups for his statements supporting Palestine, leading to his removal from the tour allegedly orchestrated by American businessman Robert Kraft, a supporter of Israel. Kraft confirmed his opposition to Macklemore performing at his stadium, citing concerns about hate speech and selective information.
Following Macklemore’s exit, criticism towards Sheeran escalated due to his perceived apolitical stance on the issue. Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and not himself, expressing his concern for the conflict in the region while defending his choice to remain neutral publicly.
In response to the escalating situation, Sheeran and Kraft each pledged $2 million towards humanitarian aid in Gaza, following a challenge from Macklemore. The public pledges aim to support efforts in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region, with Sheeran planning to collaborate with other venue owners to further contribute to the cause.
