
The American rapper was ousted from Ed Sheeran's tour following his criticism of Israel and his "Free Palestine" comments, leading to a boycott of other artists.
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Macklemore took a stand for Palestine on stage, leading to his ouster from Ed Sheeran's tour under pressure from stadium owners.
American rapper Macklemore has been removed from superstar Ed Sheeran's tour due to his comments on the Middle East conflict. At the beginning of September, he launched “Free Palestine” on stage and criticized the actions of the Israeli government. This position, to which were added images from 2014 showing him in a tendentious disguise, caused his ouster.
Ed Sheeran, to clear his name, claimed that stadium owners had threatened not to host his concerts if Macklemore remained on the bill. In reaction to this departure, several musicians, including the American Finneas, chose not to participate in the tour.
Accused of conveying “anti-Semitic rhetoric”
Macklemore said he would donate $1 million to Palestinian aid organizations. The amount he would have already received for Sheeran's tour. “I want to refocus the debate on the Palestinian people, who continue to be killed, who continue to live under military occupation and who continue to fight for their freedom,” the Grammy Award-winning artist wrote on Instagram.
“I will donate the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour to six organizations working directly with the Palestinian people. I invite Robert Kraft to make a matching donation. Whatever our disagreements, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives deserve to be protected,” says Macklemore.
Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Boston and the New England Patriots American football team, would have worked for the ouster of the rapper. He accuses the rapper of conveying “anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagination”.
The emergence of conflict in the world of entertainment
“Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed Sheeran called me and asked me to pledge two million dollars (…) to fight this humanitarian crisis. Additionally, I would like those who speak out in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades I have supported efforts that create opportunities for Palestinians,” Robert Kraft said in a statement Wednesday. Who therefore seems to want to engage in charitable action in the Middle East.
Singer Pink recalled a public appearance by Macklemore in 2014, during which the singer wore a disguise with a fake hooked nose. An outfit which, according to its detractors, repeated anti-Semitic stereotypes. Macklemore disagreed, before apologizing.
“To all my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticizing Israel, criticizing apartheid, opposing genocide, is in no way criticizing you,” the singer swears today. His ouster constitutes the latest example of the irruption of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the world of entertainment.

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