Ms Rachel faces scrutiny over association with journalist Motaz Azaiza

Rachel Griffin Accurso, the children’s educator known as Ms Rachel, is facing public scrutiny following the resurfacing of a video in which she referred to Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza as a “friend.”

The controversy follows recent admissions by Azaiza regarding his coverage of the October 7, 2023, attacks. In an interview on the “Taqarrab” podcast, Azaiza disclosed that he filmed footage of Israeli captives being assaulted by a crowd but chose not to publish it to avoid endangering the individuals captured on camera.

Accurso, who has built a massive digital presence with over 21 million YouTube followers and a series on Netflix, has become a more polarizing figure due to her humanitarian activism. In addition to her educational content, she has used her platforms to advocate for LGBTQ rights, slavery reparations, and to voice opposition to the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.