Children's entertainer Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, contributed $3,500 to liberal candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier and Brad Lander, who successfully challenged establishment Democrats in New York City primaries. The contests were characterized by leaders as being influenced by anti-Israel sentiment.
Accurso's husband, Aron Accurso, a music director, also donated $1,500 to Chevalier's campaign. Both Chevalier and Lander, supported by Zohran Mamdani, won their respective races, unseating incumbent Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman, who held pro-Israel stances.
Ms. Rachel, who boasts over 20 million YouTube followers and 5 million on Instagram, has been vocal in her criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. She has accused the country of "genocide" and harming children. Her husband has echoed these sentiments, calling Israel's actions a "genocide" and criticizing the use of bombs that have resulted in civilian casualties.
Chevalier also attended a pro-Palestinian rally in Times Square the day after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Both Chevalier and Lander are noted critics of Israel.
Accurso has been politically active previously, campaigning against the Trump administration's policies regarding migrant children. She has also conducted interviews with Lander on Instagram, expressing support for his stance against policies she views as harmful to Palestinians and condemning the situation in Gaza as a "genocide."
Some have viewed Accurso's political engagement and donations as indicative of growing anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism. Dov Hikind, a former Brooklyn state Assembly member and founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, described the situation as a "tsunami" of "malicious, vicious hatred of the Jewish people."
The Jewish advocacy group StopAntisemitism accused Accurso of spreading what they termed Hamas propaganda regarding casualties in Gaza. Earlier this year, Accurso apologized after admitting to having liked an antisemitic comment on Instagram, attributing it to an error and believing she had deleted it.
Accurso was appointed to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inaugural committee, indicating an alignment with his political circle.