Macklemore on Israel

Macklemore

Role at the time: Musician and subject of the case

Statement summary

In an Instagram post, Macklemore announced a "Free Palestine Tour" and wrote that artists should "push back" when the call for a free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it. He said proceeds would benefit organizations supporting Palestinians and the movement.

“To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”

Macklemore

Role at the time: Musician; central figure in this dispute

Statement summary

Macklemore pledged $1 million — the entirety of his net earnings from Ed Sheeran's tour — to six organizations supporting Palestinians, and invited Robert Kraft to match the donation.

“With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom. I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people. And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation. Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”

Macklemore

Role at the time: Musician and former support act on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour

Response to this claim

Ed Sheeran and his team decided to remove Macklemore from the remaining Loop Tour support dates.

“Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour. I do not agree with the decision. But I understand it. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Palestinian people are victims.”