Macklemore faces removal petition from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestine set

Macklemore Ed Sheeran Loop Tour Israeli-American Council Free Palestine MetLife Stadium

Rapper Macklemore is facing intense backlash following his opening performances for Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During his sets on September 4 and 5, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh, chanted “Free Palestine,” and performed his song “Hind’s Hall,” which references pro-Palestinian campus protests. Large screens behind him displayed footage from Gaza and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

The Israeli-American Council (IAC) has launched a petition calling for Sheeran, Live Nation, and tour management to remove Macklemore from the remaining tour dates. The IAC argued that the concert was intended as a musical event rather than a “political rally” or “activist event,” accusing the rapper of using a global platform to advance a “one-sided political agenda.”

Reactions from the audience were deeply divided. Some attendees, including Israeli and Jewish fans, reported feeling targeted or distressed, with some choosing to walk out of the stadium. Conversely, other concertgoers defended the rapper’s right to use his platform for human rights advocacy. Macklemore addressed the crowd by stating that his criticism of Israel was not directed at Jewish people, and he also included remarks criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Entities

Ed Sheeran · Israeli-American Council · Live Nation · Macklemore · MetLife Stadium

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Macklemore called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a ‘terrorist organization’. infos-israel.news
[● 2 SOURCES] The Israeli-American Council launched a petition to remove Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s tour. offthepress.com · www.jns.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] The IAC accused Macklemore of spreading antisemitic propaganda. offthepress.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Macklemore performed the song ‘Hind’s Hall’ during the set. offthepress.com · infos-israel.news · www.jns.org
[● 3 SOURCES] Macklemore called for a ‘Free Palestine’ during his performance. offthepress.com · infos-israel.news · www.jns.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] Macklemore called for freedom in Cuba, Congo, Sudan, and Iran. infos-israel.news
[○ 1 SOURCE] Macklemore accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. offthepress.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Images from Gaza were projected on screens during the performance. offthepress.com · infos-israel.news · www.jns.org