Israel-American Council urges Ed Sheeran to toss Macklemore from tour after criticising Israel onstage

JTA – The Israeli-American Council (IAC) is calling for rapper Macklemore to be dropped from the opening slot on pop star Ed Sheeran’s US tour for chanting “Free Palestine” and accusing Israel of apartheid and “genocide” during his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday and Saturday nights. 

Known for such hits as Thrift Shop and Same Love, the rapper’s anti-Israel monologue at the performances preceded his 2024 song, Hind’s Hall, referring to Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall, which pro-Palestinian protesters occupied and unofficially renamed for Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed during the war in Gaza. 

“I had wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart, ‘Free Palestine’,” he said at the show he opened for Sheeran on Saturday night, according to videos posted from the concerts. “I want those words to be loud and clear so the people from Gaza all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have their back and that we have not forgotten them.” 

He went on to dedicate the song to “the bravery of Columbia University students, the encampment movement that mobilised the entire world”. 

“Ed Sheeran, do not allow your stage to be used to divide people or spread one-sided political propaganda,” IAC said, circulating a petition demanding Macklemore be taken off the bill for his remaining nine dates of the tour. 

Messages left for representatives of Macklemore, Sheeran, and the concert promoters, AEG and the Messina Group, were not returned. 

Macklemore addressed the Jewish community directly during his appearances, saying, “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is criticism of you. My message is for peace, love, and for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.” 

The reactions to Macklemore’s remarks were far from unanimous. Some fans took to social media to praise him. 

Macklemore has been speaking out against Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza since late October 2023. He was one of the first of 55 performers to sign the Artists4CeaseFire open letter to then President Joe Biden calling for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the delivery of lifesaving aid to civilians in Gaza.