ISLAMABAD: Rapper Macklemore voiced support for Palestinians during two performances opening for pop singer Ed Sheeran at a US stadium, prompting an Israeli-American organization to call for his removal from the rest of Sheeran’s tour.
According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, Macklemore, wearing a keffiyeh, performed his pro-Palestinian song “Hind’s Hall” before crowds of more than 80,000 people at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Friday and Saturday. Images from Gaza and the occupied West Bank appeared on screens around the venue during the performances.
“I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them,” Macklemore told the crowd Friday.
He said he believed everyone deserved freedom, safety and peace and criticized violence affecting civilians.
Macklemore also called for freedom for Palestine, Cuba, Congo, Sudan and Iran and referred to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a “terrorist organization.”
During Saturday’s performance, he again wore a keffiyeh, chanted “Free Palestine” and performed “Hind’s Hall.”
Macklemore also addressed Jewish members of the audience, saying criticism of Israel or opposition to what he described as apartheid and genocide was not criticism of Jewish people.
“My message is for peace, love and for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality,” he said.
At least one message displayed on stadium screens referenced the Holocaust, reading: “Holocaust survivor says stop the genocide in Gaza.”
Accused of pushing political messages
The performances prompted the Israeli-American Council to launch a petition urging Sheeran and his Loop Tour organizers to remove Macklemore from his remaining scheduled appearances.
“This was an Ed Sheeran concert, not a political rally, not a protest and not an activist event,” the petition said.
The organization accused Macklemore of using the concert to promote what it called a “one-sided political agenda.” It also asked Sheeran and tour organizers to clarify whether Macklemore’s remarks, visual material and performance of “Hind’s Hall” had been approved beforehand.
The council also called for clearer rules governing political messages at concerts on the tour.
“Hind’s Hall,” released in 2024, takes its name from Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, which was occupied by pro-Palestinian student protesters and renamed in honor of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child who was killed in Gaza in January 2024.
Macklemore has previously used his music and public appearances to express support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. His comments at the MetLife Stadium concerts come amid continued international debate over the war, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and political expression at cultural events.