Children’s YouTube star Ms. Rachel, known for engaging her young audience, is facing renewed scrutiny. A video from 2025 resurfaced showing Rachel Griffin Accurso introducing Palestinian photojournalist, Motaz Azaiza, as her ‘friend’ while teaching the letter ‘M.’ This came after controversial comments by Azaiza regarding an October 2023 incident involving Israeli hostages.

The video, originally posted on Instagram, depicts Accurso presenting Azaiza in a brief interaction. Azaiza, who documented the conflict in Gaza, gained significant attention after admitting he withheld footage showing hostages being attacked during a Hamas-led attack.

Azaiza described witnessing hostages being beaten by a crowd but chose not to publish the footage. He feared it could identify participants and put them at risk. ‘I did not want to ruin the lives of those filmed,’ Azaiza stated. His decision not to share the videos highlighted concerns about his journalistic practices.

Azaiza worried that releasing the footage would allow Israeli authorities to identify and retaliate against those involved.

Despite his support for Palestinian resistance, Azaiza expressed disappointment in Hamas’ actions and their impact on Palestinians in Gaza. He criticized the inability to bring beneficial results or adequately protect Palestinian lives.

Ms. Rachel faced scrutiny over her activism surrounding Gaza issues. She accused public figures of racial double standards for remaining silent about Palestinian children.

Elizabeth Barcohana of the California Republican Party claimed Ms. Rachel was spreading misleading information to her audience, potentially sanitizing terrorism.

Fox News reached out to Ms. Rachel for comment but has not received a response.