Macklemore has defended his repeated calls to “Free Palestine” during Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, insisting that his criticism of Israel and opposition to the war in Gaza are “in no way a criticism” of Jewish people.
The four-time Grammy winner made the clarification while opening for Sheeran during the second night of the singer’s New Jersey stop at MetLife Stadium on Saturday.
His remarks came a day after his onstage comments sparked backlash, including a petition calling on Sheeran to remove him from the remainder of the tour.
Addressing the controversy from the stage, Macklemore said his message was aimed at promoting peace and equal treatment for all people. “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters; criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, in no way is a criticism of you.”
“My message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.”
Introducing his pro-Palestinian protest song, “Hind’s Hall,” Macklemore expanded his appeal to other countries and communities experiencing conflict and oppression.
“So, I say Free Palestine, I say free Lebanon, I say free Cuba, I say free Congo, I say free Sudan, free all people in America living in fear over this terrorist organization ICE. None of us will be free until we all are free.”
Macklemore later shared a video of his remarks on Instagram, writing: “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.”
His comments followed a petition launched by the Israeli-American Council urging Sheeran to remove the rapper from the remainder of the Loop Tour.
“This was an Ed Sheeran concert – not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event,” the petition said.
The petition argued that the issue was not Macklemore’s right to hold political views but whether an opening act should use a major concert platform to promote what it described as a “one-sided political agenda.”
Macklemore has been vocal in his support for Palestinians and wrote “Hind’s Hall” in 2024 amid pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in the United States.
The song was named after Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, which protesters renamed Hind’s Hall in honour of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza.
Macklemore’s latest comments underline his attempt to separate his criticism of Israeli government policies and his advocacy for Palestinians from hostility towards Jewish people, while maintaining his broader call for freedom, equality and peace.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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