Rapper Macklemore has defended his “Free Palestine” message during Ed Sheeran’s concerts at MetLife Stadium, saying his remarks were intended to support Palestinian freedom and oppose the suffering of civilians, not to attack Jewish people.
Macklemore addressed the controversy on Monday, Sept. 7, after his opening performances at Sheeran’s New Jersey shows drew criticism and calls for his removal from the remaining U.S. dates of the tour.
During his performance, Macklemore called for freedom for Palestinians and others around the world before performing his 2024 protest song, “Hind’s Hall.” Images related to Gaza were also displayed on the stadium screens.
The performance prompted criticism, with an Israeli-American organisation launching a petition calling on Sheeran and tour organisers to remove Macklemore from the remaining U.S. shows.
In a response on Instagram, Macklemore rejected the suggestion that expressing support for Palestinians amounted to an attack on Jewish people.
Macklemore has publicly spoken about the Israel-Palestine conflict for several years and released “Hind’s Hall” in 2024 amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations on university campuses.
The controversy also drew attention from singer Pink, who reposted an Instagram message from StopAntisemitism criticising Macklemore’s performance without adding comments of her own.
Sheeran has not publicly addressed the controversy or calls for Macklemore’s removal. Macklemore remains part of the tour.
