Macklemore used his opening performances for Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to voice support for Palestinians and condemn Israel, prompting calls for him to be removed from the remaining dates.
The 43-year-old rapper appeared before Sheeran’s shows on Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 5, addressing the conflict from the stage and calling for freedom for Palestinians.
During the performances, Macklemore referred to people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying they had not been forgotten. He also performed his protest song Hind’s Hall, while footage connected to Gaza and pro-Palestinian demonstrations was shown on the stadium screens.
He later addressed Jewish audience members directly, saying: “Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.” He added that his message was for peace and for people to be treated with “dignity, respect and equality”.
The Israeli-American Council has since launched a petition urging Ed Sheeran and the tour organisers to drop Macklemore from the remaining concerts. The group argued that the event was intended to be a concert rather than a political rally and questioned whether the rapper’s speech, visuals and performance had been approved in advance.
Macklemore shared footage of his remarks online on Monday, saying that wanting all people to be treated equally should not be controversial. He has previously used his music and public appearances to criticise Israel’s actions in Gaza and to call for Palestinian freedom.
