Pink has clarified her criticism of Macklemore after reposting a message attacking the rapper’s pro-Palestinian speech during Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour in New Jersey.
The singer said her objection was not to the words “Free Palestine”, but to Macklemore’s previous use of imagery that she described as antisemitic. She also stressed that she did not support every claim made in the post she shared.
Pink reposted an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism after Macklemore performed at MetLife Stadium, where he wore a keffiyeh, spoke in support of Palestinians and criticised Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The original message accused him of turning a concert into a political event and said Jewish fans had bought tickets to see Sheeran rather than be confronted with what it called “anti-Israel propaganda”. It called for apologies and refunds.
Pink says repost did not represent her full position
In a lengthy Instagram statement, Pink said: “A repost isn’t a statement, and a meme isn’t a spine.” She acknowledged responding to criticism with sarcastic memes and said she would rather be judged for her own views than for words written by someone else.
“I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it,” she wrote, saying that people had decided what she believed without considering her previous statements or actions.
Pink said she did not speak for Israel or any government. She added that Hamas was a terrorist organisation, while Palestinians deserved a future that respected their humanity and aspirations.
“Protecting innocent life comes first, everywhere, and nobody should ever celebrate the death of a child,” she said, pointing to her decade as a UNICEF ambassador and her work with children affected by conflict.
Pink said Macklemore’s history was the reason she had shared the criticism, rather than his support for Palestinians or anyone’s right to express that view. She referred to a 2014 performance in which he wore a disguise widely condemned as a Jewish caricature, for which he later apologised.
Recalling the episode, she said: “Every Jew I know knew exactly what it was.” Pink said she had accepted his apology at the time, but felt the incident had become relevant again after his appearance at the New Jersey concert.
She added that she was not calling for Macklemore to be silenced or removed from the tour, and said she did not need a refund. Instead, she said she wanted to be able to express fear as “a Jewish mom” without being accused of supporting genocide.
“I have never asked for another artist to be silenced and I’m not asking now,” she wrote. “I don’t need anyone fired, and I don’t need a refund.”
Macklemore defends pro-Palestinian concert speech
During his set, Macklemore told the audience that one reason he wanted to join Sheeran’s tour was to say “Free Palestine” on stadium stages across America. He said his message was intended for people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, whom he said had not been forgotten.
He also addressed Jewish audience members, saying that criticism of Israel and opposition to genocide was not criticism of Jewish people. He described his message as one of peace, love and equal dignity for all human beings.
Macklemore later posted footage of the speech with the caption: “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.” Pink reshared that post without adding further comment.
He performed Hind’s Hall, a 2024 song criticising Israel’s actions in Gaza, with footage of Gaza shown behind him. Proceeds from the track go towards humanitarian efforts by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The Israeli-American Council has launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be dropped from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s tour, arguing that the concert was not intended to be a political rally. The number of signatures was not publicly shown.
Fans were divided online, with some defending Macklemore’s comments and others accusing him of antisemitic rhetoric. Sheeran has not publicly addressed the backlash.
Pink ended her statement by saying that fans did not have to agree with her, or with the Israeli government, to object to Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian or Israeli people feeling frightened or targeted at a concert.
