Key points
- I think it should be controversial to not say anything over Gaza: Ms Rachel
- Expresses sadness over people trying to make it controversial when you speak out for children
- Says treating children like they are being treated in Gaza is not right morally and ethically
ISLAMABAD: At first glance, the Instagram profile of Ms Rachel fits the image an influencer who has won millions of devoted subscribers for her sing-songy educational content for children and parenting tips.
AFP reported that in a pink hairband and denim dungarees, the 42-year-old mother-of-two doles out advice on training kids and moral support for struggling parents — always with a reassuring smile.
So it was an abrupt shift last year when she began speaking out about the plight of children in Gaza, peppering her account with appeals for aid that sowed discord among followers and spurred calls for a federal investigation.
“I think it should be controversial to not say anything,” she said a recent interview with independent anchor Mehdi Hassan, of the mounting backlash against her fundraising and advocacy.
“It’s sad that people try to make it controversial when you speak out for children that are facing immeasurable suffering. Silence wasn’t a choice for me,” AFP cited her as saying.
@msrachelforlittles What videos or pictures made you want to speak out? #gaza #msrachel
That compulsion has put a spotlight on the beloved figure in millions of households, the American early childhood educator and social media sensation known offline as Rachel Accurso.
The fallout comes at a perilous moment for children in the war-battered Palestinian enclave, where aid has only just begun to trickle in after Israel cut it off for weeks, and where aid groups have sounded the alarm over food shortages and famine.
But the reaction against her efforts for kids in Gaza — which she has aimed at parents on social media, rather than in her videos for children — reflects broader polarization in the United States over the war that has swept campuses, offices and society at large.
“All children, in every country”
According to NBC, last year, Accurso posted a tearful Instagram reel in which she shared that she was being bullied online after she held a fundraiser for Save the Children’s emergency fund for kids in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, the Congo and Ukraine. She wrote in her caption that she cares for “Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US — Muslim, Jewish, Christian children — all children, in every country. Not one is excluded.”
And so too the toll among children in Gaza, where health ministry says more than 10,000 children have died since the October 2023.
Rejects allegations
Accurso told The New York Times the accusation she is being funded by Hamas was “absurd” and “patently false.”
“The painful reality,” the newspaper quoted her as saying, “is that Palestinian children in Gaza have been killed by the thousands and continue to be killed, maimed and starved right now. The idea that caring about one group of children prevents us from caring about another group of children is false.”
“You should be ashamed”
Accurso has deactivated comments on some of her posts urging support for Palestinian children. But commentators on other posts reflect the depth and breadth of emotions that have erupted over her posts.
“Love your show. Not your politics,” one user wrote under a Ms Rachel Instagram post promoting an interview on her activism. Another commentator says: “Ms Rachel is a national treasure.”
Among those voicing support for the megastar was Tommy Vietor, who worked with former president Barack Obama and hosts the popular Pod Save America podcast.
Accurso has ultimately doubled down, despite the criticism.
She recently posted images of her meeting with Rahaf, a three-year-old girl from Gaza who lost both her legs in an attack.
@msrachelforlittles I was so honored to spend time with Rahaf from Gaza. Rahaf is a 3-year-old double amputee who lost her legs in an airstrike. She’s absolutely adorable and the most loving, smart, playful little girl.🥹💕 I am so thankful to @The PCRF for facilitating her medical evacuation. They are my heroes! I will link to them in my bio. When I saw pictures of Rahaf in Gaza on the hospital floor, I saw the devastating consequences of endless bombing and continuous violations of children’s human rights. Rahaf is now thriving because she has access to medical care, food, water and a safe place to live. It’s so clear what we need to give children so they can grow up into healthy, happy adults. I was also honored to spend time with Rahaf’s wonderful mom, Israa. She is a teacher as well. We FaceTimed with Rahaf’s two adorable, young brothers who are still Gaza with their dad. I watched her look at them proudly, like I look at my son. I imagined myself holding up the phone in the US with my daughter, now a double amputee from an airstrike, away from my son and husband in Gaza, unable to help them – unable to feed them and keep them safe. Israa and Rahaf don’t eat in front of the boys anymore on FaceTime because there’s so little food there. Israa and I both love our children with all of our hearts. We’re both teachers who know what kids need to thrive. We want the same things for our sweet babies. But my son will have dinner tonight, a story and snuggle with me, school in the morning and hers won’t. It’s so clear what needs to be done for kids in Gaza by the global community. We know treating children like they are being treated in Gaza isn’t right morally and ethically. We know it in our souls and hearts. It doesn’t align with the teachings of our religions. We also have so much research on brain development that shows how trauma and malnutrition during the first three years of life can have life long consequences. Leaders who are silent and not helping these children, you should be ashamed. Your silence will be remembered. Help my friends, like sweet Rahaf, now. Proud to be married to Mr Aron, who brought her so much joy and so many giggles! #gaza #msrachel
“We know treating children like they are being treated in Gaza isn’t right morally and ethically. We know it in our souls and hearts,” she wrote along with a picture of the two embracing.
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“Leaders who are silent and not helping these children, you should be ashamed. Your silence will be remembered.”
