Singer Pink has broken her silence regarding controversy stirred by her repost of a social media post criticizing rapper Macklemore's pro-Palestine message delivered at an Ed Sheeran concert. In a lengthy Instagram post, the 47-year-old artist clarified her reasoning for objecting to Macklemore's remarks on stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had voiced support for Palestinians and criticized Israel's actions in Gaza during his opening set for Ed Sheeran's Loop tour. This led to Pink resharing a post from StopAntisemitism, which slammed Macklemore's message as "anti-Israel propaganda" and demanded an apology from the rapper.
"Awful – Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing last night in NJ, not to be ambushed by Macklemore's anti-Israel propaganda," the original post read, according to Pink's repost. It further stated, "Instead, Macklemore walked onstage in a keffiyeh, shouted ‘Free Palestine,’ accused Israel of a false ‘genocide,’ and turned a mainstream event into a political nightmare against the Jewish state. Concertgoers are owed apologies and refunds."
Pink, born Alecia Moore-Hart, explained that her repost did not represent her complete views and that she wouldn't have chosen all the wording herself. She stated that her silence for a week was uncharacteristic and that a repost or a meme does not constitute a full statement.
"I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it. And this week a whole lot of people decided what I believe without asking me, without checking a single thing I’ve ever said or done, because a repost and the word ‘Jew’ were apparently enough to fill in the rest," Pink wrote. She emphasized that she does not speak for Israel or any government.
Her beliefs, she stated, remain consistent with her views following Hamas's attack on a music festival. "Hamas is a terrorist organization. Palestinians deserve a future that honors their humanity and their aspirations. Protecting innocent life comes first, everywhere, and nobody should ever celebrate the death of a child. Anybody’s child," she reiterated.
Pink elaborated on her reaction, pointing to Macklemore's past actions. She recalled an incident in 2014 when Macklemore performed with a disguise that many perceived as an antisemitic caricature, which he later apologized for. "Every Jew I know knew exactly what it was. The same love, it turned out, had a guest list, and we weren’t on it," Pink said.
She stated that Macklemore's recent actions, which she felt implied his message was not for Jewish people in the stadium, prompted her repost, not the "Free Palestine" message itself or anyone's right to say it. "I have never asked for another artist to be silenced and I’m not asking now. I don’t need anyone fired, and I don’t need a refund. What I need is to be able to say, as a Jewish mom, ‘that scared me, and it scared people I love,’ without being told our fear is just propaganda, and without being told I’m somehow cool with genocide because I noticed?"
Macklemore, in response to the backlash, appeared to reinforce his stance by posting a clip of his speech, captioned, "Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial." He stated that criticism of Israel is not a criticism of Jewish people and that his message is for peace and equality for all.
Macklemore's song "Hind's Hall," released in 2024, also criticizes Israel's actions in Gaza, with proceeds going to UNRWA. A petition has been started by the Israeli-American Council to have him removed from the remainder of Sheeran's tour, arguing that concerts should not be used for political agendas.
Pink concluded her statement by referencing the upcoming Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and her own traditions, stating, "Shana tova."