Ms. Rachel Faces Backlash Over Antisemitic Instagram Incident

Rachel Griffin Accurso, better known to millions of parents and toddlers as Ms. Rachel, is facing a storm of criticism after she liked an antisemitic comment on Instagram, sparking outrage among Jewish organizations, civil rights groups, and the broader public. The incident, which unfolded on January 22, 2026, has reignited debate about the responsibilities of public figures in the digital age and the enduring dangers of antisemitic rhetoric online.

The controversy began when Ms. Rachel, a beloved children’s entertainer with over 18 million subscribers on Instagram and YouTube, posted a screenshot from her Notes app that read, “Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Iran.” Beneath this post, a user commented, “Free America from the Jews.” For several hours, Ms. Rachel’s account registered a “like” on this deeply offensive comment before it was eventually removed.

According to The New York Post, Ms. Rachel admitted in a video posted to Instagram that the like was accidental. “I would never agree with an antisemitic thing like the comment. We have Jewish family, a lot of my friends are Jewish. I delete antisemitic comments,” she insisted. She explained that she had intended to delete the comment but mistakenly hit the like button instead. “I want to say that it’s OK to be human and it’s OK to make mistakes and I’m old, so I am not as good with touching things online, I guess. I have liked things by accident before,” she said, emphasizing her lack of digital savvy and apologizing for the confusion caused.

Yet, what might have remained a regrettable but isolated error quickly escalated. Critics seized on Ms. Rachel’s subsequent actions, particularly her response to a pro-Hamas Instagram account, thepalestinenewsnetwerk, which suggested that a Jewish or pro-Israel group had planted the antisemitic comment to entrap her. The account posted, “Spoiler alert: They left the comment themselves.” Ms. Rachel replied, “Oooooo00000hhhhh,” a remark that many interpreted as tacit endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory.

Jewish groups and civil rights organizations were quick to condemn both the initial like and Ms. Rachel’s subsequent response. Liora Rez, founder and executive director of StopAntisemitism, told The New York Post, “Ms. Rachel doesn’t answer the criticism, she cries and plays the victim. She ignores Jewish concerns, Jewish constituents, and blows off antisemitism for a publicity stunt.” Rez continued, “Pushing one-sided political narratives, and then calls accountability ‘bullying.’ That’s not leadership. That’s exactly why she shouldn’t be anywhere near a mayor’s office.”

The controversy has also drawn attention to Ms. Rachel’s close association with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who himself has been criticized for anti-Israel radicalism. Ms. Rachel joined Mamdani’s inaugural committee and has appeared with him at public events focused on early childhood and education. According to TNND, Jewish organizations are now calling on Mayor Mamdani to sever ties with Ms. Rachel in light of the incident.

Ms. Rachel’s activism on social media has long been a lightning rod for criticism. She has been accused of amplifying anti-Israel narratives and minimizing or failing to address antisemitism, particularly after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre of Israeli civilians. As noted by StopAntisemitism, Ms. Rachel posted about children in Gaza nearly 50 times, while almost never mentioning Israeli victims or children caught in other conflict zones like Ukraine or Sudan. The organization also accused her of using “Hamas-aligned language” and “inflated casualty figures” in her posts about the conflict in Gaza.

Social media users joined the chorus of criticism. One X (formerly Twitter) user, self-identified as “The Persian Jewess,” wrote, “The like button and hide button are nowhere near one another and are clearly different. Even a child wouldn’t be confused distinguishing a heart symbol from the word ‘hide.’ Ms. Rachel is gaslighting all of you.” Israeli activist Uri Cohen mocked Ms. Rachel by sharing a doctored photo of her with a Hitler mustache, quipping, “I accidentally grew a mustache, by mistake.”

The backlash has not only been about the mechanics of social media but about the larger implications of a public figure with enormous reach engaging with, or failing to decisively condemn, antisemitic content. As CAM (Combat Antisemitism Movement) pointed out, “Antisemitic content spreads quickly online, and even brief engagement by high-profile figures can amplify hateful messages.” The group emphasized that for Jewish communities facing a global surge in antisemitism, calls for violence or expulsion carry serious consequences, regardless of the intent behind an interaction.

Ms. Rachel’s defenders argue that the episode demonstrates the pitfalls of online life, where even an accidental tap can have outsized consequences. In her own words, “I feel like we can’t be human anymore online,” she said, lamenting the lack of forgiveness for honest mistakes in the digital age. She reiterated her commitment to removing hateful content from her platforms and stressed her opposition to antisemitism.

But for her critics, the issue is not simply one of technical error. They point to a pattern in Ms. Rachel’s online behavior—her silence after the October 7 Hamas attacks, her frequent posts about Palestinian suffering with little mention of Israeli victims, and her willingness to engage with conspiracy theories that blame Jews for antisemitic incidents. These actions, they argue, create a hostile environment for Jewish families and children who are part of her audience. As one conservative commentator on X put it, “Apologizes for ‘accidentally’ liking a comment that says ‘Free America from Jews.’ Immediately comments supportively of a comment from a pro-Hamas account claiming that Jews set her up. Just incredible stuff.”

The controversy has also raised questions about the responsibilities of public figures, especially those whose content is aimed at children. Critics argue that figures like Ms. Rachel, who wield enormous influence over young audiences, must be especially vigilant in confronting hate speech and avoiding the appearance of bias or complicity. “Intent does not erase impact,” CAM observed, underscoring the heightened responsibility of those with large followings.

In the wake of the scandal, StopAntisemitism named Ms. Rachel a finalist for its “Antisemite of the Year” award for 2025, citing her social media activity and perceived failure to address Jewish concerns. The organization and others continue to urge both Ms. Rachel and Mayor Mamdani to take stronger, more decisive action against antisemitism, both online and in their public roles.

As the debate rages on, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the power—and peril—of digital platforms. For Ms. Rachel, the fallout from a single mistaken tap has become a test of accountability, leadership, and the enduring challenge of combating hate in the public square.