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Pro-Israel group asks DoJ to investigate Ms Rachel over posts on Gaza children Pro-Israel group asks DoJ to investigate Ms Rachel over posts on Gaza children
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StopAntisemitism questions if beloved children’s entertainer acted as foreign agent to spread ‘propaganda’StopAntisemitism questions if beloved children’s entertainer acted as foreign agent to spread ‘propaganda’
A prominent pro-Israel group that doxxes people it deems antisemitic is calling on Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, to investigate whether beloved children’s entertainer Ms Rachel is operating as a foreign agent after sharing sympathetic content about children suffering in Gaza. A prominent pro-Israel group that doxes people it deems antisemitic is calling on Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, to investigate whether beloved children’s entertainer Ms Rachel is operating as a foreign agent after sharing sympathetic content about children suffering in Gaza.
In a letter sent Monday, the group StopAntisemitism formally requested the Department of Justice to determine whether Ms Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, is “being remunerated to disseminate Hamas-aligned propaganda to her millions of followers”, claiming her social media posts about Palestinian children in anguish could constitute undisclosed work for foreign entities. In a letter sent on Monday, the group StopAntisemitism formally requested the Department of Justice determine whether Ms Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, is “being remunerated to disseminate Hamas-aligned propaganda to her millions of followers”, claiming her social media posts about Palestinian children in anguish could constitute undisclosed work for foreign entities.
“Given the vast sums of foreign funds that have been directed toward propagandizing our young people on college campuses, we suspect there is a similar dynamic in the online influencer space,” StopAntisemitism’s director, Liora Rez, wrote in the letter shared with the New York Post.“Given the vast sums of foreign funds that have been directed toward propagandizing our young people on college campuses, we suspect there is a similar dynamic in the online influencer space,” StopAntisemitism’s director, Liora Rez, wrote in the letter shared with the New York Post.
Ms Rachel has been described as a modern-day Mister Rogers, and whose Songs for Littles videos have amassed more than 10bn views since she launched her YouTube channel in 2019. The 42-year-old former teacher who lives in New York with her husband, the Broadway music director Aron Accurso, just announced the birth of her second child via surrogate on Tuesday.Ms Rachel has been described as a modern-day Mister Rogers, and whose Songs for Littles videos have amassed more than 10bn views since she launched her YouTube channel in 2019. The 42-year-old former teacher who lives in New York with her husband, the Broadway music director Aron Accurso, just announced the birth of her second child via surrogate on Tuesday.
StopAntisemitism specifically objects to posts where Ms Rachel shared widely reported images of malnourished children in Gaza and cited casualty figures from the Gaza’s health ministry that align with UN reports. The group claims she has ignored “the suffering of Israeli victims, hostages, and Jewish children”. StopAntisemitism specifically objects to posts in which Ms Rachel shared widely reported images of malnourished children in Gaza and cited casualty figures from Gaza’s health ministry that align with UN reports. The group claims she has ignored “the suffering of Israeli victims, hostages, and Jewish children”.
When asked for evidence that Ms Rachel received foreign payments rather than simply exercising free speech, Rez told the Post: “It’s not a secret influencers such as Ms Rachel often have paid collaborations on social media ... We could not help but notice post-10/7, Ms Rachel posting a massive barrage of anti-Israel propaganda.”When asked for evidence that Ms Rachel received foreign payments rather than simply exercising free speech, Rez told the Post: “It’s not a secret influencers such as Ms Rachel often have paid collaborations on social media ... We could not help but notice post-10/7, Ms Rachel posting a massive barrage of anti-Israel propaganda.”
The group called for an investigation under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara), which requires Americans working on behalf of a foreign government or political entities to register as foreign agents with the US justice department. Hamas, however, is designated by the US as a terrorist organization. Invoking Fara in this case appears legally misplaced, since any support for Hamas would fall under anti-terrorism laws – though such allegations against a children’s entertainer sharing humanitarian concerns appear far-fetched.The group called for an investigation under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara), which requires Americans working on behalf of a foreign government or political entities to register as foreign agents with the US justice department. Hamas, however, is designated by the US as a terrorist organization. Invoking Fara in this case appears legally misplaced, since any support for Hamas would fall under anti-terrorism laws – though such allegations against a children’s entertainer sharing humanitarian concerns appear far-fetched.
The UN has reported that thousands of children have been orphaned or separated from their parents during the 15-month war in Gaza up until the first phase of a ceasefire in January. According to the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs, one-third of the 40,717 Palestinian bodies identified in Gaza – 13,319 – were children.The UN has reported that thousands of children have been orphaned or separated from their parents during the 15-month war in Gaza up until the first phase of a ceasefire in January. According to the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs, one-third of the 40,717 Palestinian bodies identified in Gaza – 13,319 – were children.
Unicef estimates that 25,000 children have been injured, while Yasmine Sherif, the executive director of the UN global fund Education Cannot Wait, reports that 650,000 school-age children have not been attending classes and the entire education system requires rebuilding due to widespread destruction.Unicef estimates that 25,000 children have been injured, while Yasmine Sherif, the executive director of the UN global fund Education Cannot Wait, reports that 650,000 school-age children have not been attending classes and the entire education system requires rebuilding due to widespread destruction.
Still, the StopAntisemitism group takes exception to Ms Rachel’s sharing of viral images, including one of a malnourished child with protruding limbs who became a symbol of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. StopAntisemitism claimed the images were debunked, asserting the child suffered from cystic fibrosis rather than starvation. However, according to the Washington Post, the child’s mother confirmed he suffered from both conditions.Still, the StopAntisemitism group takes exception to Ms Rachel’s sharing of viral images, including one of a malnourished child with protruding limbs who became a symbol of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. StopAntisemitism claimed the images were debunked, asserting the child suffered from cystic fibrosis rather than starvation. However, according to the Washington Post, the child’s mother confirmed he suffered from both conditions.
Ms Rachel did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations, but previously explained that her advocacy began after seeing a video of a traumatized child in Gaza who survived an airstrike . “The look in his eyes has stayed in my mind,” she told the Independent. “No child should experience that kind of fear, shock and terror.” Ms Rachel did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations, but previously explained that her advocacy began after seeing a video of a traumatized child in Gaza who survived an airstrike. “The look in his eyes has stayed in my mind,” she told the Independent. “No child should experience that kind of fear, shock and terror.”
Last May, Ms Rachel launched a fundraiser through Cameo that raised over $50,000 for Save the Children’s emergency fund supporting children in conflict zones including Gaza in just a few hours. The effort drew some hateful comments for not specifically including Israeli children, though Save the Children does not currently operate in Israel, a wealthy country. Last May, Ms Rachel launched a fundraiser through Cameo that raised more than $50,000 for Save the Children’s emergency fund supporting children in conflict zones including Gaza in just a few hours. The effort drew some hateful comments for not specifically including Israeli children, though Save the Children does not currently operate in Israel, a wealthy country.
“I care deeply for all children. Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US – Muslim, Jewish, Christian children – all children, in every country,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “To do a fundraiser for children who are currently starving – who have no food or water – who are being killed – is human.”“I care deeply for all children. Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US – Muslim, Jewish, Christian children – all children, in every country,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “To do a fundraiser for children who are currently starving – who have no food or water – who are being killed – is human.”
StopAntisemitism’s targeting of Ms Rachel appears to follow a pattern for the organization, which maintains an “anti-semite of the week” feature on its website. The controversial list has included Gaza-based journalist Bisan Owda, the climate activist Greta Thunberg, rapper Macklemore, and actor Jesse Williams. StopAntisemitism’s targeting of Ms Rachel appears to follow a pattern for the organization, which maintains an “antisemite of the week” feature on its website. The controversial list has included Gaza-based journalist Bisan Owda, the climate activist Greta Thunberg, the rapper Macklemore, and the actor Jesse Williams.
The group, which describes itself as a Jewish civil rights watchdog, identifies and “doxxes” pro-Palestinian demonstrators on university campuses and across the country. The group, which describes itself as a Jewish civil rights watchdog, identifies and “doxes” pro-Palestinian demonstrators on university campuses and across the country.
The backlash mirrors previous controversies Ms Rachel has faced for taking a stance on more serious topics, including postpartum depression, early childhood education funding and LGBTQ+ issues.The backlash mirrors previous controversies Ms Rachel has faced for taking a stance on more serious topics, including postpartum depression, early childhood education funding and LGBTQ+ issues.
It’s unclear whether the Department of Justice would pursue this investigation. StopAntisemitism did not respond to a request for comment. It is unclear whether the Department of Justice will pursue an investigation. StopAntisemitism did not respond to a request for comment.