Macklemore said that his call to “Free Palestine” was “in no way a criticism” of Jewish people, after his opening performances for Ed Sheeran in New Jersey led to a petition demanding his removal from the rest of the singer’s US tour. None of us will be free until we’re all free.” Performing before Sheeran at the New Jersey show on Friday, Macklemore said one reason he wanted to join the British singer’s Loop tour was to use the stage to speak about Palestine. I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them,” he said.
He then performed his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall”, with images from Gaza and pro-Palestinian demonstrations playing on screens around the stadium. The song was inspired by pro-Palestinian student protesters at Columbia University who renamed Hamilton Hall after Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in 2024 when Israeli soldiers shot up a car in which she was trapped with her already slain family in Gaza City. On Sunday, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling on Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the rest of his tour’s US dates.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The council claimed the rapper had used a major platform to promote what it described as a “one-sided political agenda”.
It also called on Sheeran’s tour leadership to clarify whether Macklemore’s speech, political imagery and performance of “Hind’s Hall” had been approved in advance. The Independent contacted Sheeran’s representatives for comment but didn’t receive an immediate response. Macklemore has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinians since the early days of the Israeli war on Gaza.
He was among 55 artists who signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter to then US president Joe Biden in October 2023 calling for a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. He released “Hind’s Hall” in May 2024 as pro-Palestinian protests erupted across American university campuses, saying proceeds from the song would go towards humanitarian work carried out by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. Macklemore is still listed on Sheeran’s official website as a supporting act for his remaining US stadium shows, beginning with the 19 September show at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and continuing through dates in Massachusetts, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas.
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