‘Mr Rogers was political, too’: Ms Rachel challenges critics over Gaza and ICE detention

‘Mr Rogers was political, too’: Ms Rachel challenges critics over Gaza and ICE detention Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 09/23/2026 - 18:48 The beloved children’s educator used her appearance on SubwayTakes to challenge the idea that those who work with children should stay out of politics Ms Rachel in an uncut episode of the viral internet talk show SubwayTakes (Screengrab/YouTube) Off Ms Rachel has used her latest appearance on the viral internet talk show SubwayTakes to speak out about the treatment of children in Gaza and US immigration detention facilities, while pushing back against critics who argue that children’s entertainers should stay out of politics.

In the uncut episode, host Kareem Rahma introduced Ms Rachel, a children’s educator, YouTuber and activist, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, as “essentially the Mr Rogers of today”.

One of his Gen Z producers described Ms Rachel as the “Taylor Swift for toddlers”.

But beyond her popularity with young audiences, the episode offered Ms Rachel an opportunity to address criticism she has faced over her advocacy for Palestinian children and her opposition to US immigration detention policies.

Among her five supposedly “controversial” takes or opinions, she argued that advocating for children is not separate from politics, pointing to the legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved American television host whose programme Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood helped shape generations of young viewers.

Ms Rachel challenged the idea that Rogers was apolitical, highlighting the political messages he delivered both on his television programme and in testimony before the US Senate.

Her comments pushed back against critics who have argued that her role as a children’s educator should prevent her from speaking publicly about political issues, particularly on Gaza.

Many online celebrated Ms Rachel’s comments specifically relating to Israel’s genocide in the enclave, where nearly 74,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Ms Rachel spoke out on Gaza during an interview with SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma, condemning the killing, starvation and medical neglect of Palestinian children. ” pic.

“Why would we bomb kids and take their limbs and their schools… and then say we can’t call this genocide? twitter.

com/6FS6R28IQ0 — OnePath Network (@OnePathNetwork) September 23, 2026 Ms Rachel recalled a 1969 episode in which Rogers shared a small swimming pool with Officer Clemmons, a Black character on the show, at a time when racial segregation in swimming pools remained a contentious issue in the US.

Rogers also shared his towel with Clemmons, a gesture Ms Rachel described as historically significant.

She further pointed to Rogers’ opposition to the nuclear arms race, which he explored through a storyline in his fictional "Neighborhood of Make-Believe", as well as his 1969 testimony before the Senate opposing proposed cuts to public broadcasting funding.

One social media user questioned the framing of Ms Rachel’s views as controversial, reflecting broader criticism of how her advocacy for Palestinian children has been portrayed in the media.

“Ms Rachel brought her ‘controversial’ takes to SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma - though none of them actually feel that controversial if you believe in basic human decency,” the person wrote.

‘No child should be in an immigration detention centre’ In recounting her third opinion, Ms Rachel declared that no child should ever be held in an immigration detention centre.

She cited paediatric research and United Nations reports while discussing the treatment of children in US immigration detention, drawing attention to the potential physical and psychological harm it causes. Mrs.

Her argument extended beyond US borders, as she emphasised that the responsibility to protect children should not depend on their nationality or immigration status. Ever.

Rachel said: "Children do not belong in detention centers. " She's right. That's why we #readthemhome because they belong there.

They belong with their families. They belong in classrooms, playgrounds, and libraries. 🎥: @subwaytakes, @msrachelforlittles pic. twitter.

com/o4ftkAyyUt — Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) September 22, 2026 Invoking a line associated with fellow children’s advocate, Rogers, she said: “The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe.

” The conversation then turned to Gaza. She referred to UN findings on genocide and addressed the backlash she has faced for speaking about Palestinian children experiencing starvation.

She recalled being criticised after arguing that starving children should receive food, with some critics responding by pointing to the children’s pre-existing medical conditions. Ms.

She rejected the suggestion that such conditions undermined the need to provide them with food and humanitarian assistance. Rachel on Gaza: “Why would we bomb kids?

All of their schools and their hospitals and then say we can’t call this genocide when the UN said this is intentional target of children. Children were shot in the head and chest. pic.

I always think when this comes out, the world’s gonna… twitter.

com/D9B7MdOYoN — Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) September 22, 2026 Her appearance follows her recent pledge to match rapper Macklemore’s $1m donation to Palestinian humanitarian relief, directing her contribution to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

Ms Rachel’s appearance on the show also drew criticism online, with some detractors labelling her antisemitic and accusing her of supporting Hamas over her advocacy for Palestinian children.

The accusations echo an earlier campaign by the pro-Israel group StopAntisemitism, which in April 2025 called on the US Department of Justice to investigate whether she was being paid to spread Hamas-aligned propaganda.

No publicly available evidence has substantiated that allegation.

Ms Rachel has repeatedly rejected such claims, stressing that her concern for Palestinian children does not diminish her compassion for Israeli or Jewish children.

Israel's genocide in Gaza Trending Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0