# YouTube star Ms Rachel matches Macklemore's $1m Palestine donation

> Ms Rachel pledges $1m to Palestinian aid after rapper Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour for pro-Palestine remarks.
- Title: YouTube star Ms Rachel matches Macklemore's $1m Palestine…
- Summary: Ms Rachel pledges $1m to Palestinian aid after rapper Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour for pro-Palestine remarks. Ms Rachel is matching…
- Keywords: ms rachel, macklemore, palestine aid donation, ed sheeran tour, youtube star, celebrity activism, gaza, israel-palestine conflict, free palestine, children's relief fund, news, world
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/culture/2026/sep/17/ms-rachel-macklemore-palestine-donation
- Published: 2026-09-18T01:00:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ms rachel, macklemore, palestine aid donation, ed sheeran tour, youtube star, celebrity activism, gaza, israel-palestine conflict, free palestine, children's relief fund, news, world
## Macklemore fired for Palestine speech
Rapper Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour after saying "Free Palestine" at MetLife Stadium on September 4th, then pledged to donate his entire tour earnings to Palestinian organizations.

> Free Palestine! I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them.
## Ms Rachel matches $1m donation
YouTube educator Ms Rachel, with over 21 million subscribers, announced she would match Macklemore's $1m donation to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.

> We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect children and human rights.
## Ms Rachel calls out wealthy celebrities
The children's entertainer encouraged "every wealthy white celebrity" to match her donation, citing over 20,000 Palestinian children killed in the conflict.

> Over 20,000 precious Palestinian children have been killed, and children continue to be killed every day.
## Macklemore clarifies his message
At a second tour date on September 5th, Macklemore told Jewish audience members that criticizing Israel and opposing genocide is not criticism of them, emphasizing his message is for peace and human dignity.

> Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.
## Other artists quit tour in solidarity
Four supporting acts, including Finneas and Lukas Graham, left Ed Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore after his removal.
## Sheeran and Kraft donate privately
Ed Sheeran and Patriots owner Robert Kraft each donated $2m to aid in the region, with Sheeran saying he has personal views but chooses not to speak publicly about the conflict.

> Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care.
## Key takeaway

Ms Rachel is matching Macklemore's $1m donation to Palestinian organizations and calling on other wealthy celebrities to do the same.