Ms. Rachel Urges Celebrities to Speak Out on Gaza

Children's entertainer Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, has amplified her advocacy for Gaza, directly challenging high-profile celebrities who have remained silent on the conflict. Appearing on comedian Ilana Glazer's podcast "It's Open," Accurso questioned why stars with secure careers were unwilling to publicly address the situation and advocate for Palestinian children.

"If you are so famous, and you’re uncancellable, and you’re so famous, and you won’t even say like, ‘Kids in Gaza should have schools, people in Gaza should have hospitals.’ Like you won't say something so basic and like why can't you risk something to help save lives," Accurso stated during the podcast.

Accurso's remarks come amid criticism from figures like Rabbi Yaakov Menken, executive vice president of the Coalition for Jewish Values, who previously told Fox News Digital that her focus on Palestinian children was disproportionate. Elizabeth Barcohana, the California Republican Party's Jewish engagement chair, also criticized Accurso, alleging she was using misinformation to manipulate her audience.

During the podcast, Accurso broadened her activism to include other humanitarian crises, expressing frustration with public figures who have not spoken out about children in detention, Sudan, and other global issues. She specifically mentioned rapper Macklemore's recent removal from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour after making "Free Palestine" remarks, noting that Sheeran later condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks while describing the situation in Gaza as catastrophic.

Accurso has repeatedly characterized Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide," suggesting that using the term could pressure the international community to intervene. A U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded in June that Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children, stating their conduct amounted to genocide and other international crimes, though Israel has rejected these conclusions. A separate genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel is ongoing at the International Court of Justice, which has issued provisional measures but not a final judgment.