Macklemore Defends Pro-Palestine Comments After Criticism from P!NK and Boy George
Macklemore faced backlash from fellow artists and the Israeli American Council for urging a "Free Palestine" message during his opening set for Ed Sheeran, but he reiterated his stance on social media.
Macklemore sparked controversy after using his opening slot at Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium concerts to call for a "Free Palestine" and to express solidarity with other global causes. He said he wanted the message to reach people in Gaza and the West Bank and thanked student activists at Columbia University and groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.
He added that criticism of Israel or apartheid does not equate to criticism of Jewish people and called for equality and dignity for all, mentioning Lebanon, Cuba, Congo, Sudan and others. The Israeli American Council responded with a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour, arguing that a global concert platform should not be used for a one-sided political agenda.
Musicians P!NK and Boy George also posted criticism on social media. P!NK reshared a statement from an advocacy group that labeled claims of genocide in Gaza as false and called for apologies and refunds for concertgoers. Boy George, who recently released a pro-Israel song created with AI, posted an AI-generated image of Sheeran and wrote that he has never been a fan of the singer.
Ed Sheeran has not commented on the dispute. Macklemore defended his remarks in a later post, stating that advocating for equal treatment of all humans should not be controversial.
"One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine.’"
"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."
"The issue is not whether Macklemore has the right to hold political views, the question is where the line should be drawn when an opening act uses a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda."