After controversy over Macklemore's appearance: everyone is now donating to Gaza

dpa | The public dispute over the exclusion of US rapper Macklemore from the opening act for Ed Sheeran's US tour is now accompanied by announcements of donations amounting to millions. Macklemore, who was disinvited from upcoming concerts after chants of “Free Palestine,” wants to donate his $1 million in proceeds to Palestinians. Pop star Ed Sheeran and stadium owner Robert Kraft, who initiated Macklemore's expulsion, announced a donation to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Macklemore wrote on Instagram on Wednesday that he plans to donate all net earnings from his "Loop" tour performances to six organizations that directly support Palestinians. In his post he asked Kraft to make his own donation.

The US billionaire Kraft said in a statement on The owner of Gillette Stadium near Boston said he has supported efforts to create opportunities for Palestinians for decades. Sheeran and his goal is to get more organizers on board and “continue to work together to build bridges.”

At the beginning of the month, Macklemore appeared on stage in front of British pop star Ed Sheeran at two concerts in East Rutherford, near the metropolis of New York. Macklemore – whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty – has been making pro-Palestinian statements for years and also used this appearance to make his solidarity with the Palestinians clear.

“One of the reasons I wanted to do this tour was so that I could stand here on stages and in stadiums across America and say two words that are very close to my heart: Free Palestine,” Macklemore said at the first concert, according to video clips he posted on Instagram. “I want these words to be heard loud and clear so that people from Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.”

At the next concert he said: "To all my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, rejection of genocide - this is in no way a criticism of you. My message is about peace; love for all people to be treated with dignity, respect and equality."

Several pro-Israel organizations then called on Sheeran not to allow Macklemore to continue performing on the tour. "Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from responsibility. Your show. Your stage. Your responsibility," said a petition from the Israeli-American Council, for example.

A few days later, Macklemore announced that “Sheeran and his team” had removed him from the tour. Sheeran shortly afterwards denied responsibility for the eviction, stressing that it was the tour organizer's decision, not his. He himself has spoken extensively in the past few days with representatives of the venues, the tour operator and “activists on both sides” to find a common solution, but without success, said Sheeran. [Link to https://taz.de/Streit-um-Palaestina-Statements/!6213616/]

Meanwhile, four other bands and artists from the opening act also left the tour in solidarity with Macklemore: Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, the band Beoga and Finneas O'Connell, also known as a close companion of his sister Billie Eilish. “Artists must not be silenced when they raise their voices for the oppressed,” said O'Connell, explaining his withdrawal.

In the most prominent place, above all, Robert Kraft. The US billionaire owns, among other things, a stadium in the US state of Massachusetts near the metropolis of Boston, where Sheeran is scheduled to appear twice as part of the “Loop” tour at the end of the month. Kraft is Jewish - and behind the scenes was probably largely responsible for the exclusion of Macklemore from the rest of the tour's supporting program.

When Macklemore announced after the expulsion that he wanted to donate around $1 million in tour earnings to Palestinians, he also asked Kraft to donate. Kraft and Sheeran then announced a donation to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Sheeran wrote on Instagram that he respects that Macklemore speaks loudly for what he believes in. However, he himself decided not to use his appearances to express political opinions - especially because his audience included many young people, including children, from all over the world, and he wanted to create a "place of safety and refuge" for them. “If we only focus on who shouts the loudest, nothing will ever change.”

Sheeran also wrote that he was “horrified” by the Middle East conflict and the suffering on both sides. "I have my personal opinion on this devastating conflict. Just because I don't comment publicly on it doesn't mean I don't have it, and it doesn't mean I don't care."

Numerous stars left hearts under Macklemore's Instagram posts. “Full solidarity and free Palestine,” commented Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is known for her pro-Palestinian stance. “The very active silence of artists in the face of injustice and genocide will not be forgotten.”

Macklemore is also repeatedly accused of using anti-Semitic stereotypes in performances and song lyrics, which the artist denies. A Macklemore appearance in Germany in the summer of 2025 also sparked a heated debate after he was announced as a headliner at the Deichbrand Festival in Lower Saxony. Ultimately, Macklemore stood on stage – and again accused Israel of genocide.

This is still completely unclear. Will his fans take his side and continue to support the “Shape of You” singer? Will Sheeran comment on the matter again? So what will the rest of his tour be like? The first answers to all of these questions should be available at the weekend, because the next concert is on the program: on Saturday evening in Philadelphia.