Macklemore Donates $1M from Ed Sheeran Tour to Palestinian Aid, Challenges Kraft to Match

Macklemore announced he is donating $1 million in net earnings from his opening act performances on Ed Sheeran's U.S. "Loop Tour" to organizations providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians. The rapper also publicly challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match his donation.

Macklemore was removed from the remainder of Sheeran's tour dates after repeatedly calling for a "Free Palestine" and performing his song "Hind’s Hall" during his opening sets on September 4 and 5 at MetLife Stadium. Macklemore alleged that Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, pressured Sheeran to remove him from the tour, stating that Kraft threatened to prevent Sheeran from performing at his venue and rallied other stadium owners to issue similar ultimatums. Kraft confirmed his opposition to Macklemore performing at Gillette, citing the rapper's history of remarks he described as antisemitic.

In an Instagram post, Macklemore stated his intention to divide the $1 million among six organizations: the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA).

"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," Macklemore wrote. He added, "I want to center the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them, and the physicians, paramedics, journalists and aid workers who keep going back in."

Macklemore directly addressed Kraft, stating, "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."

Following Macklemore's announcement, Kraft released a statement indicating that Sheeran had already requested he commit $2 million to humanitarian relief in the region. "I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting," Kraft said. "Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region and fight this humanitarian crisis."

Kraft added that Sheeran plans to engage other venue owners, with the goal of continuing to collaborate on building bridges. He also stated his own long-standing support for initiatives that create opportunities for Palestinians and foster relationships between young Israelis and Palestinians.

Macklemore was scheduled to open for eight additional dates on Sheeran's tour. His removal led to other supporting acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga, withdrawing from the tour in solidarity. Macklemore stated that "writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity to me" and that he was doing it because he could and because these organizations were actively working while the global community debated. He concluded his statement by saying, "Free Palestine."