American rapper Macklemore says he will donate his $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians. According to Euronews, the organizations named by Macklemore are the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera.
Macklemore also challenged Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, to match the donation. In a statement quoted by Euronews, Macklemore said Palestinian lives were “worth protecting” and that criticism of Israel should not be treated as criticism of Jewish people. He has denied accusations of antisemitic rhetoric.
Euronews reports that Macklemore was removed from the tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage. Kraft said his venue would not provide a platform for hate speech and accused the rapper of having what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric. The report says Macklemore disputes that characterization.
Kraft subsequently said that he and Sheeran had each pledged $2 million “to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.” Kraft said Sheeran had contacted him before Macklemore’s challenge and that Sheeran planned to approach other venue owners about contributing. However, Kraft did not specify which organizations or charities would receive the money.
Sheeran has said Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision and not his own. He also described the Israel-Palestinian conflict as a human tragedy and said he was not complicit, while declining to state his personal views publicly.
Several performers scheduled to appear with Sheeran have withdrawn, including Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas. They cited opposition to the silencing of Macklemore and expressed support for Palestinians. Massive Attack also criticized what it called artistic censorship and said artists should not remain neutral in the face of mass civilian suffering. Euronews reports that Sheeran has not responded to those withdrawals or to Massive Attack’s comments.