Macklemore Pledges $1m To Palestinian Organisations, Challenges Robert Kraft

Macklemore Pledges $1m to Palestinian Organisations, Challenges Robert Kraft Pro-Palestinian rapper Macklemore has pledged to donate $1 million from his net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s upcoming Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians, while challenging US billionaire Robert Kraft to match the donation.

The announcement came after Macklemore was removed as an opening act for Sheeran’s planned performance at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, which is owned by Kraft. Macklemore said the donation would go to six organisations working directly to support Palestinians. He also called on Kraft to match the $1 million contribution. Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, confirmed earlier in the week that Macklemore had been removed from the performance. Kraft said the decision was based on his view that the rapper’s planned appearance would provide a platform for what he described as “hate speech”. Macklemore’s removal followed pro-Palestinian comments he made during a performance in New Jersey. Sheeran subsequently said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by promoters and that he did not want to become involved in a public debate over the Gaza conflict. Following Macklemore’s donation challenge, Kraft said that Sheeran had contacted him and asked him to commit $2 million to humanitarian efforts in the region. Kraft said the proposed contribution would be aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis, although details about the recipient organisations had not been specified. It was not immediately clear whether Kraft had formally committed the $2 million or where the funds would ultimately be directed. The dispute has therefore shifted from the cancellation of Macklemore’s performance to a public discussion about humanitarian assistance for Palestinians and the responsibilities of prominent figures involved in the controversy.