Leftist YouTuber Ms. Rachel named to Mamdani's inaugural committee

Children’s YouTuber Ms. Rachel has been named to New York City mayoral elect Zohran Mamdani’s inaugural committee, drawing attention amid ongoing controversy surrounding her previous comments regarding Israel and Gaza.

On Wednesday, Mamdani announced several high-profile supporters who will serve on his inaugural committee. The list includes actress Cynthia Nixon and actors Luis Guzman, John Turturro, Kal Penn, along with other celebrities.

“I’m honored to be joined by some of the most creative and experienced minds in the city as we build an inauguration that is truly by and for New Yorkers,” Mamdani said in a statement, according to the New York Post.

Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, has built a large following on YouTube for her children’s educational videos. She has also faced scrutiny this year, particularly from Jewish civil rights groups, over social media posts they claim promote pro-Hamas propaganda. One video she posted included a rant about the shame political leaders should have about what is happening in Gaza.

"Be so ashamed of your silence. Be so ashamed that you've seen the same images and videos that we've all seen, but they haven't moved you to do the right thing," she said in the video.

The organization StopAntisemitism has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to open an investigation into Accurso’s comments, which the group argues are anti-Israeli.

“We urge you and your office to investigate whether or not Ms. Rachel is being remunerated to disseminate Hamas-aligned propaganda to her millions of followers,” StopAntisemitism director Liora Rez said in a letter to Bondi.

Accurso has responded to the allegations by saying she cares “deeply for all children, Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US.”