Case
Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech on Ed Sheeran’s MetLife stage
September 4, 2026
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
While opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a free Palestine, accused Israel of apartheid and genocide, and said criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people. The Israeli-American Council sought his removal, while the Anti-Defamation League and StopAntisemitism called the performance hostile, biased, or propagandistic. Macklemore published the speech in full and defended it as a demand for equal treatment. Boy George condemned the message; Paloma Faith praised it. P!nk amplified a critical post without writing a separate case-specific explanation, and Sheeran had not publicly addressed the dispute by the editorial cutoff.
Evidence and limits
Macklemore performed the speech on September 4 and 5 before singing “Hind’s Hall,” accompanied by Gaza and campus-protest imagery. His complete posted video includes a direct address to Jewish listeners, a distinction between criticism of Israel and criticism of Jewish people, and calls for freedom beyond Palestine. Critics objected both to his claims and to an opening act using a headliner’s stadium audience for one-sided political advocacy. The Israeli-American Council requested removal, advance-approval disclosures, and stage boundaries. P!nk’s act was a repost of StopAntisemitism rather than an independently written position. Ed Sheeran’s continued booking and silence are observable facts, not evidence that he agreed with Macklemore.
What's disputed
The claims below are disputed. Follow each source to see who made it and what they said.
Disputed claim
Macklemore’s MetLife message was a demand for Palestinian freedom and equal human dignity, not criticism of Jewish people.
- Who made the claim
- Macklemore
- Date
Sources
Disputed claim
Macklemore’s set subjected Sheeran’s audience to performative, biased, and hostile anti-Israel activism.
- Who made the claim
- Anti-Defamation League
- Date
Sources
Disputed claim
An opening act should not use a headliner’s global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda without accountability and clear boundaries.
- Who made the claim
- Israeli-American Council
- Date
Sources
Arguments
Documented position
The Israeli-American Council.
The tour organizers are responsible for the platform they provide
Concertgoers bought admission to Ed Sheeran’s show, while an opener used the stage, production screens, and mass audience for disputed political claims. The IAC argues that this shifts the issue from Macklemore’s right to speak to Sheeran and the tour’s responsibility for a platform they control.
Related claim
An opening act should not use a headliner’s global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda without accountability and clear boundaries.
Limit of this argument
Macklemore was an announced opening act with a public history of pro-Palestinian advocacy, and political expression has a longstanding place in popular music.
Editorial analysis
Macklemore's full speech distinguished Israel from Jewish people
Macklemore’s full remarks expressly separate criticism of Israel from criticism of Jewish people and place Palestine within a broader appeal for dignity, peace, and equal freedom. Treating that complete message as an ambush or hostile propaganda can collapse political disagreement into audience injury.
Related claim
An opening act should not use a headliner’s global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda without accountability and clear boundaries.
Limit of this argument
The speech included disputed accusations against Israel, celebrated named campus protest groups, and intentionally used Sheeran’s stadium tour to reach an audience assembled for another artist.
Response from Macklemore
Macklemore
Macklemore rejected the characterization that his criticism of Israel was criticism of Jewish people.
Read the statement and sourcesDocumented responses
Reactions
6 latest responses. Dates: September 5, 2026 to September 8, 2026
6 responses on this page
Paloma Faith - Recording artist responding through a public social-media reshareDefended or excused
Responding to
Macklemore’s MetLife message was a demand for Palestinian freedom and equal human dignity, not criticism of Jewish people.
"My Hero"
Paloma Faith endorsed Macklemore’s complete posted speech as heroic.
Why we used this label
The brief direct caption positively evaluates the complete disputed performance rather than merely redistributing it neutrally.
Before the statement
Faith reshared Macklemore’s own video, which included both the political speech and his response to criticism.
After the statement
Boy George then criticized Faith by name for supporting Macklemore.
Boy George - Recording artist commenting publicly on another performer’s political speechCondemned
Responding to
An opening act should not use a headliner’s global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda without accountability and clear boundaries.
"Slogans such as “Free Palestine” offer the appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge."
Boy George condemned Macklemore’s slogan as shallow moral performance and pressed Sheeran to address the issue.
Why we used this label
The post makes a direct attributable criticism of the message and of the headliner’s response.
Before the statement
Boy George addressed the controversy after Macklemore published the complete speech and P!nk amplified criticism.
After the statement
He praised P!nk, criticized Paloma Faith’s endorsement, and said he hoped Sheeran would address the dispute.
Israeli-American Council - Institutional petition by an Israeli-American advocacy organizationCondemned
Responding to
An opening act should not use a headliner’s global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda without accountability and clear boundaries.
"This was an Ed Sheeran concert—not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event."
The IAC condemned Macklemore’s use of Sheeran’s concert platform and sought his removal.
Why we used this label
The petition directly rejects the appropriateness of the performance and requests concrete remedial action.
Before the statement
The petition describes Macklemore’s words, projected imagery, and performance of “Hind’s Hall” during the MetLife shows.
After the statement
It asks whether the content was approved in advance and demands clearer boundaries for political messaging on the tour.
Anti-Defamation League - Institutional statement by an antisemitism advocacy organizationCondemned
Responding to
Macklemore’s set subjected Sheeran’s audience to performative, biased, and hostile anti-Israel activism.
"They came for a concert, not performative, biased and hateful anti-Israel “activism” from his opener, Macklemore."
The ADL condemned the set as biased and hateful anti-Israel activism that made some attendees feel unwelcome.
Why we used this label
The statement directly rejects the performance’s content and its use of the concert setting.
Before the statement
The ADL framed the audience as having expected a concert rather than political advocacy from the opening act.
After the statement
It connected the performance to what it described as Macklemore’s longer record of demonizing Israel and engaging in antisemitic rhetoric.
Macklemore - Recording artist and opening act on Ed Sheeran’s Loop TourChallenged the characterization
Responding to
Macklemore’s MetLife message was a demand for Palestinian freedom and equal human dignity, not criticism of Jewish people.
"Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you."
Macklemore rejected the characterization that his criticism of Israel was criticism of Jewish people.
Why we used this label
The statement directly disputes a central characterization while maintaining the underlying criticism of Israel.
Before the statement
After criticism of the first MetLife performance, Macklemore repeated the set and directly addressed Jewish audience members.
After the statement
He described his message as peace, love, dignity, respect, and equality before repeating calls for freedom in several countries and communities.
StopAntisemitism - Institutional social-media statement by an advocacy organizationCondemned
Responding to
Macklemore’s set subjected Sheeran’s audience to performative, biased, and hostile anti-Israel activism.
"Jewish patrons should not be subjected to this propaganda."
StopAntisemitism condemned Macklemore’s performance as propaganda directed at an unwilling concert audience.
Why we used this label
The statement directly rejects the performance and identifies the audience harm the organization says it caused.
Before the statement
The organization posted video from the first MetLife set and described the event as an ambush of Jewish and Israeli concertgoers.
After the statement
A later post repeated the criticism after Macklemore’s second performance; related text requested apologies and refunds.
Case timeline
14 timeline entries on this page. Dates: September 4, 2026 to September 8, 2026
- Defended or excused
Paloma Faith
Paloma Faith endorsed Macklemore’s complete posted speech as heroic.
Read statement - Reaction
Boy George condemns while Paloma Faith endorses
Boy George attacks the slogan and presses Sheeran to respond; Paloma Faith reshares Macklemore’s complete video as “My Hero.”
Sources
- Condemned
Boy George
Boy George condemned Macklemore’s slogan as shallow moral performance and pressed Sheeran to address the issue.
Read statement - Reaction
P!nk amplifies StopAntisemitism without adding a position
P!nk reposts the organization’s criticism but supplies no case-specific explanation of which claims she adopts.
Sources
- Source release
Macklemore publishes the complete speech
Macklemore posts the full video and restates his equal-treatment framing.
Sources
- Condemned
Anti-Defamation League
The ADL condemned the set as biased and hateful anti-Israel activism that made some attendees feel unwelcome.
Read statement - Condemned
Israeli-American Council
The IAC condemned Macklemore’s use of Sheeran’s concert platform and sought his removal.
Read statement - Reaction
ADL characterizes the set as hostile anti-Israel activism
The ADL says Jewish and Israeli attendees encountered biased and hateful activism at a concert.
Sources
- Reaction
IAC seeks Macklemore’s removal from the tour
The IAC petitions Sheeran and tour organizers for removal, advance-approval disclosures, and clearer limits on political use of the stage.
Sources
- Condemned
StopAntisemitism
StopAntisemitism condemned Macklemore’s performance as propaganda directed at an unwilling concert audience.
Read statement - Challenged the characterization
Macklemore
Macklemore rejected the characterization that his criticism of Israel was criticism of Jewish people.
Read statement - Reaction
StopAntisemitism condemns the performance
The organization calls the set anti-Israel propaganda and later seeks apologies and refunds for concertgoers.
Sources
- Claim
Macklemore addresses Jewish listeners during the second show
He repeats the performance and says criticism of Israel, apartheid, and genocide is not criticism of Jewish people.
Sources
- Incident
Macklemore delivers the first MetLife speech
Opening for Ed Sheeran, Macklemore calls for a free Palestine and introduces “Hind’s Hall” with Gaza and campus-protest imagery.
Sources
Full sources
Macklemore’s complete MetLife speech and response
Original post
Macklemore’s complete MetLife speech and response
Excerpt
"Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial."
About this source
First-party post containing the complete introductions from both MetLife performances and Macklemore’s response to criticism.
Source details
- Published
- Accessed
Boy George criticizes Macklemore as Paloma Faith offers support
Reporting
Boy George criticizes Macklemore as Paloma Faith offers support
Excerpt
"Slogans such as “Free Palestine” offer the appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge."
About this source
Reporting that preserves Boy George’s direct criticism, Paloma Faith’s “My Hero” reshare, and the text P!nk amplified from StopAntisemitism.
Source details
- Author
- Max Halton
- Published
- Accessed
StopAntisemitism statement and video about Macklemore’s MetLife set
Original post
StopAntisemitism statement and video about Macklemore’s MetLife set
Excerpt
"Jewish patrons should not be subjected to this propaganda."
About this source
Organization post showing the performance and characterizing it as anti-Israel propaganda; P!nk later reposted related text without adding case-specific commentary.
Source details
- Published
- Accessed
IAC urges Ed Sheeran to drop Macklemore after anti-Israel act
Reporting
IAC urges Ed Sheeran to drop Macklemore after anti-Israel act
Excerpt
"This is completely unacceptable."
About this source
Reporting preserving attributed statements from the IAC, ADL, and StopAntisemitism, including text from posts that can be difficult to retrieve directly.
Source details
- Published
- Accessed
Anti-Defamation League statement on Macklemore’s MetLife set
Original post
Anti-Defamation League statement on Macklemore’s MetLife set
Excerpt
"They came for a concert, not performative, biased and hateful anti-Israel “activism” from his opener, Macklemore."
About this source
First-party ADL post characterizing the performance and describing its perceived effect on Jewish and Israeli concertgoers.
Source details
- Published
- Accessed
Israeli-American Council petition to Ed Sheeran and Loop Tour organizers
Official statement
Israeli-American Council petition to Ed Sheeran and Loop Tour organizers
Excerpt
"This was an Ed Sheeran concert—not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event."
About this source
Public petition requesting Macklemore’s removal, disclosure of advance approval, and boundaries on political messaging during the tour.
Source details
- Published
- Accessed
Full transcript of Macklemore’s MetLife speech
Reporting
Full transcript of Macklemore’s MetLife speech
Excerpt
"Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you."
About this source
Reporting that reproduces the full speech, including Macklemore’s direct address to Jewish listeners and the IAC response.
Source details
- Author
- David Niederhoffer
- Published
- Accessed
Accountability
Corrections and right to reply
Corrections address errors in our reporting or labels. When a speaker changes their position, we add a separate statement and link it to the earlier one.
Reporting correction
Correction to: Statement by Anti-Defamation League
- Previous language
- Topic associations: Israel and Zionism; Antisemitism; Music Platforms and Audience Expectations.
- Corrected language
- Topic associations: Music; Palestine; Israel; Antisemitism.
Topic taxonomy maintenance only. Addresses the musical performance and Palestine/Israel advocacy alongside an explicit question of Jewish targeting or antisemitic rhetoric. The quotation, attribution, stance classification, sources, and dates are unchanged.
This corrects our account of what happened.
First-party ADL post characterizing the performance and describing its perceived effect on Jewish and Israeli concertgoers.
Reporting preserving attributed statements from the IAC, ADL, and StopAntisemitism, including text from posts that can be difficult to retrieve directly.
Reporting correction
Correction to: Statement by Paloma Faith
- Previous language
- Topic associations: Israel and Zionism; Antisemitism; Music Platforms and Audience Expectations.
- Corrected language
- Topic associations: Music; Palestine.
Topic taxonomy maintenance only. Criticizes or supports the musician's pro-Palestine message without independently addressing antisemitism. The quotation, attribution, stance classification, sources, and dates are unchanged.
This corrects our account of what happened.
Reporting that preserves Boy George’s direct criticism, Paloma Faith’s “My Hero” reshare, and the text P!nk amplified from StopAntisemitism.
Reporting correction
Correction to: Statement by Israeli-American Council
- Previous language
- Topic associations: Israel and Zionism; Antisemitism; Music Platforms and Audience Expectations.
- Corrected language
- Topic associations: Music; Palestine; Israel.
Topic taxonomy maintenance only. Addresses the concert platform and boundaries on this Palestine/Israel political advocacy; the record does not itself make an antisemitism judgment. The quotation, attribution, stance classification, sources, and dates are unchanged.
This corrects our account of what happened.
Public petition requesting Macklemore’s removal, disclosure of advance approval, and boundaries on political messaging during the tour.
Reporting correction
Correction to: Statement by Boy George
- Previous language
- Topic associations: Israel and Zionism; Antisemitism; Music Platforms and Audience Expectations.
- Corrected language
- Topic associations: Music; Palestine.
Topic taxonomy maintenance only. Criticizes or supports the musician's pro-Palestine message without independently addressing antisemitism. The quotation, attribution, stance classification, sources, and dates are unchanged.
This corrects our account of what happened.
Reporting that preserves Boy George’s direct criticism, Paloma Faith’s “My Hero” reshare, and the text P!nk amplified from StopAntisemitism.
Reporting correction
Correction to: Statement by StopAntisemitism
- Previous language
- Topic associations: Israel and Zionism; Antisemitism; Music Platforms and Audience Expectations.
- Corrected language
- Topic associations: Music; Palestine; Israel; Antisemitism.
Topic taxonomy maintenance only. Addresses the musical performance and Palestine/Israel advocacy alongside an explicit question of Jewish targeting or antisemitic rhetoric. The quotation, attribution, stance classification, sources, and dates are unchanged.
This corrects our account of what happened.
Organization post showing the performance and characterizing it as anti-Israel propaganda; P!nk later reposted related text without adding case-specific commentary.
Reporting preserving attributed statements from the IAC, ADL, and StopAntisemitism, including text from posts that can be difficult to retrieve directly.
Reporting correction
Correction to: Statement by Macklemore
- Previous language
- Topic associations: Israel and Zionism; Antisemitism; Music Platforms and Audience Expectations.
- Corrected language
- Topic associations: Music; Palestine; Israel; Antisemitism.
Topic taxonomy maintenance only. Addresses the musical performance and Palestine/Israel advocacy alongside an explicit question of Jewish targeting or antisemitic rhetoric. The quotation, attribution, stance classification, sources, and dates are unchanged.
This corrects our account of what happened.
First-party post containing the complete introductions from both MetLife performances and Macklemore’s response to criticism.
Reporting that reproduces the full speech, including Macklemore’s direct address to Jewish listeners and the IAC response.