Ms. Rachel Defends Gaza Advocacy Amidst Criticism, Alleges Right-Leaning Bias

Children’s YouTube sensation Ms. Rachel, known formally as Rachel Griffin Accurso, recently found herself embroiled in controversy following her outspoken commentary regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and its devastating impact on Palestinian children. Her appearance on Mehdi Hasan’s "Zeteo" news program served as a platform for the beloved educator to defend her advocacy and respond to accusations of anti-Israel bias.

Accurso, whose "Songs for Littles" YouTube channel boasts a massive following of 14.7 million subscribers, has consistently used her social media platforms to raise awareness about the plight of children in Gaza. She echoed casualty statistics reported by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, stating in a December 2024 TikTok post, "Over 14,000 precious children have been un-alived in Gaza. Gaza has the largest number of child amputees in history. We can’t be silent about these kinds of conditions for children."

These statements, however, drew sharp criticism from conservative commentators and pro-Israel advocates who accused Ms. Rachel of peddling Hamas propaganda and failing to adequately acknowledge the suffering of Israeli children affected by Hamas’s attacks. Critics pointed to a delayed response from Accurso following the horrific October 7th attacks, during which 38 Israeli children were killed and 42 were taken hostage.

Accurso addressed these concerns during her interview with Hasan, asserting that her advocacy for Palestinian children stemmed from a universal concern for the well-being of all children. "As a teacher, you care about all kids. And I think with so many years of teaching, you just see them all as so similar. They all love to laugh, and they love to learn, and they love to play, and they deserve to play," she stated. Accurso further emphasized her role as a mother, explaining that she felt compelled to speak out against the immense suffering endured by children in Gaza. "It’s sad that people try to make it controversial when you speak out for children that are facing immeasurable suffering. I think it should be controversial to not say anything," she declared.

Accusations of anti-Israel bias against Ms. Rachel are partly rooted in her association with Mehdi Hasan, the host of Zeteo news. Hasan has a documented history of being a vocal critic of the Israeli government and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He has accused the IDF of killing "hungry people" and compared Israel’s actions to those of authoritarian regimes like Vladimir Putin’s Russia and Bashar al-Assad’s Syria. In 2021, Hasan defended Rep. Ilhan Omar after she suggested that the U.S. and Israel were just as guilty of "war crimes" as terrorist groups like Hamas and the Taliban.

Some critics have argued that Ms. Rachel’s appearance on Hasan’s program lends credence to the narrative that she is aligned with anti-Israel sentiments. Bethany Mandel, a columnist for the New York Post, wrote that "Ms. Rachel has a moral compass—but it only points leftward." The group StopAntisemitism even urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Accurso for allegedly spreading Hamas propaganda, suggesting that she may be financially compensated for her activism.

Ms. Rachel has vehemently denied these accusations, calling them "absurd" and "completely false" in a statement to Fox News Digital. "It’s sad that someone would take compassion for children suffering immeasurably and try to make it controversial. All of my work grows from my care for all children and wanting them to have everything they need to grow and thrive. They can’t do that if they are denied food, safety, medical care or the love and care of their families."

Accurso also addressed the criticism that advocating for one group of children somehow diminishes concern for others. "The idea that caring for a group of children in an emergency situation means you don’t care about other children is false," she asserted. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the shared humanity of all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. "In a time of so much division, the more we can see the humanity of people who are different from us, the better," she told Fox News Digital.

The controversy surrounding Ms. Rachel highlights the increasingly polarized nature of discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even well-intentioned efforts to express concern for vulnerable populations can become politicized and subject to intense scrutiny. Accurso’s case underscores the challenges faced by public figures who attempt to navigate complex political issues while maintaining their image and appealing to a broad audience. It also exemplifies the heightened sensitivities and accusations of bias that arise when engaging with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.