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2 clusters · 52 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Macklemore pro-Palestine concert controversy

Overview

Rapper Macklemore has faced significant backlash following pro-Palestine performances during his opening sets for Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

During the performances, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh, chanted “Free Palestine,” and performed “Hind’s Hall,” a song referencing campus protests. Visuals of Gaza and demonstrations were also displayed on stadium screens. In response, the Israeli-American Council (IAC) launched a petition seeking the removal of Macklemore from the tour, arguing the platform was used to advance a “one-sided political agenda” rather than serving as a musical event.

The watchdog group StopAntisemitism also condemned the remarks, describing them as anti-Israel propaganda. Singer Pink weighed in by sharing a post from a watchdog group that condemned the remarks as “anti-Israel propaganda,” while Boy George also expressed disapproval of the slogan used, suggesting it offered the “appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge.”

Macklemore responded via social media and stage remarks, stating his message is for peace and that criticizing Israel or apartheid is not an attack on Jewish people. He addressed his audience directly, stating, “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,” and asserting that “wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.” While some audience members reported feeling targeted and walked out, others defended the rapper’s advocacy. Ed Sheeran has not publicly commented on the matter.

Entities

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

Claims

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

Timeline

  1. 4 days ago

    [CULTURE] 36 sources
    Macklemore defends pro-Palestine remarks at Ed Sheeran concert

    Macklemore faces calls to be removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour after making pro-Palestine remarks and displaying Gaza imagery at MetLife Stadium, sparking debate over political messaging at concerts.

  2. 6 days ago

    [CULTURE] 19 sources
    Macklemore faces removal petition from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestine set

    Macklemore faces a petition to be removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour after delivering pro-Palestinian speeches and performing protest songs at MetLife Stadium.

Sources

730.no · afghanistans.com · allhiphop.com · brasil247.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cafetorah.com · cnbcindonesia.com · complex.com · courage-online.de · cubed3.com · deadline.com · elfrontal.com · emanuellevy.com · es.rollingstone.com · expreso.ec · fbcnews.com.fj · glamrap.pl · happymag.tv · hiphop.de · hollywoodreporter.com · hotnewhiphop.com · ibtimes.co.uk · imusicfun.it · independent.co.uk · infos-israel.news · internewscast.com · israelhayom.com · jns.org · ladbible.com · latimes.com · lifo.gr · mysocalledgaylife.co.uk · newstalkkit.com · offthepress.com · pedestrian.tv · phenomenal.com.ng · pipocamoderna.com.br · portadaestrela.com · pressassociation.com · promotionmusicnews.com · refresher.cz · rollingstone.it · sajr.co.za · standard.co.uk · stopthebreaks.com · suedkurier.de · thewrap.com · thoughtcatalog.com

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history