American Jewish Committee condemns Macklemore's MetLife set as one-sided propaganda
Institutional statement by a Jewish advocacy organization
“While opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore chanted “Free Palestine,” accused Israel of “genocide” and “apartheid,” and used the stage—and the massive screens behind him—to promote a deeply one-sided and uninformed narrative about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Concertgoers bought tickets to hear music, not to be subjected to political propaganda that erases the complexity of this conflict and presents Israel as the sole cause of the region's suffering.”
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Institutional statement posted 11:27 AM ET on September 8, 2026 from AJC's verified account. Full text read from the post page; the syndication API returns only the first paragraph. The post also asserts that AJC New Jersey contacted the Meadowlands and that refunds were offered before the second show. That assertion is AJC's own and is not independently corroborated.
Before the quotation
The statement was posted four days after the first MetLife set, during the week in which the Israeli-American Council and the Anti-Defamation League also objected publicly.
After the quotation
AJC went on to say that its New Jersey office had contacted the Meadowlands, that the stadium raised the concerns with the tour, and that refunds were offered before the second show. That account is AJC's own and is not independently corroborated. The statement also credited P!nk for speaking out and closed by saying music should not turn Jewish and Israeli concertgoers into targets.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech and removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The statement rejects the content and the setting of the performance under scrutiny, describing it as propaganda that misrepresents the conflict.
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Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech and removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour
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Read the full case“Glad to see Macklemore off Ed Sheeran’s tour. For years, Macklemore has pushed antisemitic tropes and demonized Israel and Israelis. Now he certainly has the 1A right to speak out and express his views, but demonizing Jews and Israelis shouldn’t be rewarded.”Read statement
“When your only response to dissent is to use power and wealth to make it go away, you are going to have the opposite effect. People can see what’s happening in the Middle East with their eyes and don’t want to be told what they’re allowed to think by people who own stadiums.”Read statement
“So proud of Aaron. A brave and selfless act to stand with Palestine & humanity against Israel’s barbarism and the billionaires that support their crimes. Aaron you have upheld Ireland’s noble tradition of resistance to colonialism & Empire. So proud!”Read statement