Ms. Rachel is joining Macklemore in pledging support for Palestine amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his removal from Ed Sheeran's tour.
The early childhood educator and YouTube personality, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, announced in a Thursday, Sept. 17, Instagram post that she would match the rapper's $1 million donation. Accurso said her contribution would benefit the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, a nonprofit that provides medical and humanitarian assistance to children in the region.
"We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect children and human rights," Accurso wrote, urging "every wealthy white celebrity" to follow her lead and match the donation.
"Over 20,000 precious Palestinian children have
been killed and children continue to be killed every day," she added.
Accurso's donation follows her public support for the "Thrift Shop" artist, who was recently removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran's U.S. tour.
What did Ms. Rachel say about Ed Sheeran-Macklemore tour controversy?
Earlier this week, Ms. Rachel criticized Sheeran over Macklemore's exit, questioning the singer's handling of the controversy and applauding Macklemore for using his platform to advocate for Palestinians.
"Ed Sheeran had an opportunity [to] show that we won't be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine," Accurso wrote on Instagram. "Instead he caved to people who refuse to accept what the world knows. A genocide is happening in Gaza. We all need to speak out against it."
Sheeran later said the decision to remove Macklemore was not his. The "Shape of You" singer said venues warned they would not host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, which could have jeopardized the rest of the tour.
What did Macklemore say?
The dispute began during Sheeran's Sept. 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, when Macklemore paused his performance to declare, "Free Palestine." The rapper said he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
His comments prompted criticism from advocacy groups and calls for his removal from the tour. During a second MetLife performance the following night, Macklemore addressed Jewish audience members, saying criticism of Israel and its government was not criticism of Jewish people. He described his message as one of peace, dignity and equality.
After he was dropped from the tour, Macklemore released a lengthy Instagram statement arguing that the focus should remain on Palestinians rather than the professional consequences facing him, Sheeran and Pink, who had publicly responded to his remarks.
Macklemore later pledged to donate the $1 million he said he earned from the tour to organizations supporting Palestinians. He also challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Gillette Stadium was among the venues that objected to Macklemore's participation, to match the contribution.
Kraft subsequently pledged $2 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian region at Sheeran's request.
The fallout has continued to reshape the tour. All of Sheeran's remaining opening acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and members of the Irish band Beoga, announced they would withdraw from their scheduled appearances following Macklemore's departure.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ms. Rachel matches Macklemore's $1M Palestine donation amid Ed Sheeran tour drama
