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Macklemore announced that he is donating the $1 million he earned opening for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour to organizations providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians, prompting a public response from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
On Monday, the 43-year-old rapper was dropped from Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” after he repeatedly called for a “Free Palestine” and performed his anti-Israel song “Hind’s Hall” during his opening act at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sept. 4 and 5.
Macklemore alleged that Kraft, 85, pressured Sheeran to remove him from the tour by telling the singer he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium and by rallying other stadium owners to issue a similar ultimatum. Kraft later confirmed he opposed Macklemore’s participation at Gillette based on what he described as the “Thrift Shop” rapper’s history of antisemitic rhetoric.
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Sheeran, 35, has said the decision was made by the tour promoter and venue owners, not by him personally.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Macklemore shared his plans to donate his paycheck from the “Loop Tour” to six organizations including the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA).
“With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom,” he wrote.
Macklemore announced that he is donating $1M in earnings from Ed Sheeran’s tour after he was dropped. (Redferns)
“I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people,” he continued. “And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation. Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”
“I want to center the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them, and the physicians, paramedics, journalists and aid workers who keep going back in. I want to center the organizers and activists who have paid real costs for standing with Palestine,” Macklemore added. “Their risk is of a far different order than mine.”
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Macklemore noted that “writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity to me.”
“I am doing it because I can and because these organizations are doing the work while much of the world debates it,” he wrote.
“Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free,” Macklemore added. “That is where my focus will remain. I will continue to stand with the Palestinian people and their fight for liberation.”
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“When the news cycle moves on, which it will, don’t move with it,” he concluded. “Free Palestine.”
Shortly after the rapper challenged Kraft to match his contribution, Kraft said Sheeran had already asked him to commit $2 million to match the singer’s own donation toward humanitarian relief in the region.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Sheeran asked to match his $2M contribution to humanitarian aid in the region. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
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“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region and fight this humanitarian crisis,” Kraft wrote in a statement shared on Gillette Stadium’s social media pages.
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“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges,” Kraft continued.
“In addition, I’d like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships,” he added.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Sheeran and Macklemore’s representatives for comment.
All of Sheeran’s other supporting acts including Finneas, Lukas Graham Aaron Rowe and Beoga pulled out in solidarity with Macklemore. (Getty Images)
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Macklemore was originally scheduled to open at eight of Sheeran’s upcoming tour dates following his two performances at MetLife Stadium.
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The rapper’s removal triggered a wave of withdrawals from Sheeran’s tour, with fellow supporting acts Finneas, Lukas Graham Aaron Rowe and Beoga all pulling out in solidarity.