Children's educator Ms Rachel has responded to her nomination for 'antisemite of the year' by pro-Israel groups in an Instagram post, saying Stop Antisemitism, which published the list, "should not be able to try and ruin people's lives."
"I have two kids who shouldn't have to deal with the consequences of this," she continued, "This has taken such a toll of me and my family and all I've wanted was to help kids."
Ms Rachel started her YouTube channel in 2019 to help her son, who had a speech delay. She shares videos on her channel teaching toddlers critical skills through songs and colourful graphics, with over 17 million subscribers.
Recently, the educator has been using her digital platform to advocate for children's rights, especially for children in Gaza and Sudan, which has attracted both praise and vile attacks. In October, Ms Rachel was recognised as one of Glamour's Women of the Year. She wore a dress with drawings by Palestinian children to the award ceremony.
Stop Antisemitism, a pro-Israel advocacy group, has previously criticised Ms Rachel, calling her a "Hamas mouthpiece" without evidence and mainly over her advocacy for Gazan children.
Stop Antisemitism publishes the ' antisemite of the year' list annually and invites people to vote for the winner. The list often features people who oppose Israel's genocide but have no history of antisemitism alongside far-right figures and holocaust deniers. This year, Ms Rachel appears alongside conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, far-right conspiracy theorist Stew Peters, and UFC fighter and holocaust denier Bryce Mitchell.
The controversial advocacy group has come under increased criticism since the outbreak of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023, after labelling several individuals, including public figures, as "antisemites" for taking a stand against the genocide that has killed well over 70,000 Palestinians, a third of whom children.
Ms Rachel hits back at pro-Israel 'antisemite of the year' smear |
