Ms Rachel joins Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza in heartfelt collaboration

Beloved American children’s entertainer Ms Rachel has joined Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza in a heartfelt social media video that has captivated millions.

Rachel Griffin Accurso, known to her 16 million YouTube subscribers as Ms Rachel, shared the clip with her “friend” Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian journalist documenting the human toll of Israel’s war on Gaza.

The collaboration sparked an outpouring of praise online. "The collab all of our hearts needed," one user wrote.

Another added: "What I adore about Ms Rachel is how kids instantly warm up to her voice and eagerly follow her guidance. I’m beyond thrilled about her collaboration focused on children’s welfare and teaching them valuable life lessons. Love you so much, Ms Rachel."

A third commenter said: "Two of the most beautiful souls, bringing hope when the world feels its darkest and most brutal."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Motaz Azaiza مُعْتَز عَزَايْزَة ⚡️ (@motaz_azaiza)

Standing up for Gaza’s children

Ms Rachel has become one of the few mainstream American children’s stars to speak openly about Gaza, where more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured by Israeli bombardment. Half of the enclave’s population is under 18 and faces acute hunger and a collapsing healthcare system under Israel’s ongoing siege.

“I wouldn’t be Ms Rachel if I didn’t deeply care about all kids,” she told Boston public radio station WBUR. “I will risk everything, and I will risk my career over and over to stand up for them. It’s all about the kids for me.”

The UN has called Gaza “the hungriest place on Earth”, warning the entire population faces famine. Ms Rachel said she felt a deep responsibility to use her platform after meeting Palestinian mothers whose children suffer life-altering injuries, trauma, and starvation.

“When you sit with a mother who’s FaceTiming her boys in Gaza who don’t have food, and you see that anguish – it really moves you,” she said emotionally. “I need to do more. I have a big platform, and I see it as a responsibility.”

However, Ms. Rachel has faced intimidation from pro-Israel groups for speaking up about Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

In April, a US-based pro-Israel organisation urged the attorney general to investigate her over her messages. She has also been bullied online for launching a fundraiser supporting children in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Earlier this year, she donated $1 million to World Food Program USA to support starving populations in conflict zones, including Gaza.

In one recent video, Ms Rachel met Rahaf, a three-year-old double amputee evacuated from Gaza. Rahaf’s siblings and father remain trapped under siege.