Overview
- In weekend Instagram posts, the children’s educator said she unsubscribed because of what she called the Times’ biased and dehumanizing coverage of Palestinians.
- She pointed to a November 2023 internal memo, reported by The Intercept, that advised avoiding or tightly limiting terms such as “genocide,” “ethnic cleansing,” and “occupied territory,” and flagged words like “slaughter,” “massacre,” and “carnage.”
- Her announcement aligns with a broader pressure campaign, as more than 300 writers and scholars have pledged to withhold contributions to the Times’ Opinion section over alleged bias.
- Ms. Rachel has recently amplified Palestinian children’s stories, including wearing a gown embroidered with artwork by Gaza children at the Glamour Women of the Year event and fundraising for Save the Children.
- Initial reaction online included praise and criticism, with some followers saying they canceled subscriptions as well; Newsweek said it contacted the Times and Ms. Rachel’s representatives for comment.