Macklemore faces backlash and calls for tour removal after anti-Israel rant
Rapper Macklemore faces severe industry backlash and a formal removal petition after using an Ed Sheeran tour stop to deliver an anti-Israel speech.
American rapper Macklemore faces intense backlash, public condemnation from fellow musicians, and a formal removal petition after delivering an anti-Israel rant during a live music performance. The controversy erupted following an appearance as the opening act on Ed Sheeran's tour, where the artist used the global stage to voice political slogans and accuse Israel of genocide.
Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, known professionally as Macklemore, took the stage at MetLife Stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands during a weekend tour stop. Wearing a keffiyeh draped over his shoulders, the Yahoo News reporting details how the Grammy-winning performer told the crowd he wanted to shout out two words near and dear to his heart, before leading chants of "Free Palestine." Alongside his remarks, the arena screens displayed graphic images from Gaza while he performed his protest song "Hind's Hall," a track inspired by student encampments at Columbia University. According to Daily Mail reporting, his broader speech also touched upon global conflicts and domestic policies, calling for freedom in Lebanon, Cuba, the Congo, and Sudan, while criticizing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
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The stunt drew immediate condemnation from advocacy groups and concertgoers. The watchdog organization StopAntisemitism slammed the interruption, arguing that ticket buyers paid to watch a musical performance rather than being ambushed by political propaganda. In the wake of the incident, the Israeli-American Council initiated a petition urging headliner Ed Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour lineup, accusing the rapper of spreading antisemitic propaganda and turning a mainstream entertainment event into a one-sided political rally.
The backlash quickly expanded across the music industry. Pop star Pink amplified the StopAntisemitism post on social media, supporting the demand that concert attendees receive apologies and ticket refunds. Culture Club frontman Boy George issued a scathing condemnation on X, targeting both Macklemore's use of political slogans and Ed Sheeran's response, writing that slogans like "Free Palestine" offer the appearance of moral courage without requiring political knowledge.
Macklemore broke his silence following the incident, posting a video clip of his speech online alongside the caption stating that wanting all humans to be treated equally should never be controversial. In the recorded remarks, he addressed the Jewish community directly:
"To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you."
Benjamin Hammond Haggerty (Macklemore), via social media video
Critics also targeted the rapper over alleged hypocrisy regarding real estate ownership. Reports highlighted that while the artist frequently acknowledges indigenous history during his shows鈥攕uch as noting on a podcast that he originates from occupied Duwamish territory鈥攈e maintains a multimillion-dollar residence in Seattle's North Capitol Hill neighborhood, which sits on historical ancestral lands of Coast Salish peoples including the Duwamish, Suquamish, Stillaguamish, and Muckleshoot tribes. Commentators drew parallels to similar controversies surrounding pop star Billie Eilish, who faced online mockery for declaring that no one is illegal on stolen land while owning a multimillion-dollar horse ranch in Glendale.
Whether Ed Sheeran or tour organizers will yield to the petition demands remains to be seen as the tour schedule continues.
