Robert Kraft has rejected Macklemore’s invitation to match a $1 million donation to organisations supporting Palestinians, saying Ed Sheeran had already asked him to match the singer’s separate $2 million humanitarian commitment.
The exchange is the latest development in a dispute that led to Macklemore being removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, announced on Instagram that he would donate his net earnings from the tour to six organisations providing aid to Palestinians. He then challenged Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, to make an equivalent contribution.
Kraft responded later the same day, saying Sheeran had asked him to match the singer’s $2 million donation to humanitarian aid in the region “to fight this humanitarian crisis”.
Macklemore removed from Sheeran tour
The dispute began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian comments during two opening performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in September. He repeatedly said “Free Palestine” and criticised Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
Several advocacy groups condemned the remarks, while the Israeli American Council called for Macklemore to be removed from the tour. The rapper said his criticism of Israel should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish people.
In a later Instagram post, Macklemore said Sheeran had told him that Kraft barred him from performing at Gillette Stadium after the MetLife shows and had encouraged other stadium owners to take the same position.
Kraft subsequently confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at the stadium. He said the decision followed Macklemore’s recent actions and what he described as “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery” that had been “deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community”.
Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, said several venues had regarded Macklemore’s inclusion as a red line and that he was therefore removed from the remaining US dates.
Other scheduled supporting acts, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and the Irish group Beoga, have also withdrawn in solidarity. Sheeran said the decision was not his own, adding: “I spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so.”
Robert Kraft says he wants to ‘build bridges’
Kraft said he had spent decades supporting efforts to create opportunities for Palestinians and wrote: “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.”
He also said Sheeran was contacting other venue owners where he is due to perform to encourage them to contribute to humanitarian aid in the region.
The controversy has nevertheless drawn Sheeran into the dispute, despite his efforts to distance himself from it. Some ticket holders have asked for refunds following the changes to the line-up.
The North American leg of the tour is scheduled to run until November 7 in Tampa, Florida. Sheeran’s next show is due to take place in Philadelphia on September 19.
