Rapper Macklemore has defended his recent "Free Palestine" comments, made during performances on the US leg of Ed Sheeran's tour, stating they were not an attack on Jewish people. Macklemore introduced his song "Hind's Hall," a protest song condemning Israel's military actions in Gaza, during shows in New Jersey on Friday and Saturday.
Following his remarks, the Israeli-American Council initiated a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore as his support act for the remainder of the tour. The council argued that Macklemore used the stage for an "extended political message," calling for a "Free Palestine" and projecting "images from Gaza and other political messaging" across stadium screens. The council characterized the event as a concert, not a political rally or activist event, and expressed concern over the use of "selective imagery, biased messaging, and disputed claims presented to a massive audience as fact, without context or complexity."
Macklemore, who recently joined Sheeran as a support act for the US portion of the "+ - = ÷ x" (Mathematics) Tour, addressed the backlash on Monday through a social media video. He captioned the post, "Wanting all humans to be treated equal[ly] should never be controversial."
In the video, Macklemore explained his intention: "One of the reasons I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up on stages across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine. I want those words to be loud and clear so the people from Gaza all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them." He concluded by stating, "My message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated equally and with dignity."
Some ticket buyers criticized Macklemore's participation on social media, while others offered support. The rapper's comments have garnered significant online attention.
Representatives for Ed Sheeran were contacted by BBC News for a response regarding the calls for Macklemore's removal from the tour. Macklemore is scheduled to perform with Sheeran at additional US dates in the coming weeks. This is not the first time Macklemore has faced scrutiny for his stage presence; in 2014, he apologized for a costume that critics deemed antisemitic.