Macklemore defends call for 'Free Palestine' amid Ed Sheeran tour
Los Angeles Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Grammy winner Macklemore reaffirmed his support for Palestinians during his performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza and projecting pro-Palestinian imagery while performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
- His actions drew sharp criticism from Jewish advocacy groups such as Stop Antisemitism, the Israeli American Council, and the Anti-Defamation League, with calls for apologies, refunds, and removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
- Macklemore addressed the controversy by emphasizing that his criticism targets Israeli policies, not Jewish people, and called for peace, dignity, and equality for all human beings.
- The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 1,200 Israelis killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and more than 73,650 Palestinians killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive.
- Beyond Palestine, Macklemore also called for liberation in Congo, Sudan, and the U.S., condemning ICE and advocating for freedom for all oppressed groups.
