Macklemore Defends Pro-Palestinian Stand Against Right-Wing Smears at Ed Sheeran Concert
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Rapper Macklemore reaffirmed that his call for Palestinian liberation is rooted in universal human rights and not anti-Semitism, despite right-wing pressure from the Israeli American Council to silence him on Ed Sheeran's tour.
During his opening set for Ed Sheeran at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, rapper Macklemore courageously spoke out for oppressed peoples worldwide, including Palestine, Lebanon, Cuba, Congo, and Sudan, emphasizing that his advocacy is about universal human rights and not an attack on Jewish individuals. He stated, "To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality." Macklemore highlighted the necessity of freedom for all peoples, especially those suffering under state violence, terrorism, and draconian immigration enforcement, as essential for collective liberation. Predictably, these calls for justice provoked backlash from the Israeli American Council, a right-wing organization that filed a petition to remove the four-time Grammy winner from Sheeran’s tour. The Council, seeking to suppress pro-Palestinian voices, argued that concerts should not be used for political messages, conveniently ignoring the urgent need to speak out against apartheid and oppression.