Macklemore has hit back after being removed from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s US tour, saying “the victims are the Palestinian people” as he defended his support for Palestinian liberation.
In a statement posted on social media, the US rapper said his support for Palestine had become “too much of a risk” after he was given a platform at some of America’s biggest stadiums.
“I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. We have careers, money, opportunities, safety, and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families," he said. "The victims are the Palestinian people. The men, women and children who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence.”
He said there was “no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed”, arguing that the consequences faced by artists who speak out could not compare with the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
“When one side has the bombs and bottomless financial and military support from America, refusing to take a side doesn’t leave you in the middle,” he said.
Macklemore said he had been told by Sheeran that Robert Kraft, a staunchly pro-Israel billionaire whose company owns Gillette Stadium, had objected to him performing at the venue after his “Free Palestine” remarks at MetLife Stadium.
He said Sheeran had also told him that Kraft rallied other stadium owners, who warned the singer they would not allow him to perform at their venues if Macklemore remained on the tour.
Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Sheeran’s US Loop tour, later confirmed that venues had said they would not allow concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, saying this could have led to the tour being cancelled and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.
Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining support dates.
The rapper said the decision came despite his 13-year friendship with Sheeran, whom he described as a “brother”.
But he said their friendship could not override his responsibility to speak about Palestinians.
Macklemore said taking a position on Palestine could cost artists money, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access.
‘Free Palestine’ became too much of a risk
Macklemore said he had called for Palestinian freedom on stages around the world for almost three years, but argued that performing alongside Sheeran at huge US stadiums had changed the stakes.
“At a certain level of exposure, ‘Free Palestine’ becomes too much of a risk,” he said.
“If I kept doing the shows, saying Free Palestine, with Ed implicitly supporting it, the crowd getting loud and showing undeniable support for Palestinian liberation, what artist might speak out next?
“The stage becomes resistance. Maybe that’s why this time it became so important to silence me.”
Macklemore performed at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 4 and 5 September, calling for a “Free Palestine” and telling the audience that Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank had not been forgotten.
He also performed his protest song Hind’s Hall alongside imagery depicting devastation in Gaza.
The performances prompted a petition from the pro-Israel lobby group the Israeli-American Council calling for his removal from the tour.
Criticism of Israel is not hatred of Jewish people
Macklemore also rejected attempts to portray his support for Palestine as hostility towards Jewish people.
He said accusations of antisemitism were being used to shield Israel from criticism, arguing that opposition to Israel and Zionism should not be conflated with hatred of Jewish people.
“Antisemitism is real. And that is exactly why the word matters too much to be used as a shield against criticism of the Israeli state,” he said.
“When criticizing Israel, opposing Zionism or saying ‘Free Palestine’ gets conflated with hatred of Jewish people, it doesn’t protect Jewish people. It protects Israel from accountability.”
At his second MetLife performance, Macklemore addressed Jewish members of the audience, saying criticism of Israel, apartheid and genocide was not criticism of them.
“My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality,” he said.
He said the focus on his cancellation was insignificant compared with Palestinian suffering.
“Who is winning the internet, who is getting canceled, who gets to play the stadium and who doesn’t, all of it becomes so small when held against what we are actually witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank,” he said.
He said Palestinians were being “displaced, starved and killed” while public debate focused on which words artists were allowed to use.
‘I needed two’
Macklemore said he did not expect praise for speaking about Palestine, describing it instead as a responsibility.
Referencing the Arabic phrase “la shukra ala wajeb”, meaning there is no thanks for a duty, he said supporting Palestinians had become a duty for him and millions of others.
“That’s what this has become for me and millions of others around the world. A duty. Not something deserving of praise or gratitude. Not brave. Human.”
He said he did not need the full run of shows with Sheeran.
“I didn’t need 10 shows from Ed. I needed 2,” he said. “Two chances to stand in front of 90,000 people and say the words that somehow became too dangerous to say. Free Palestine.”
Macklemore said losing his place on the tour could ultimately help redirect attention towards Palestine.
“But if those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I’ve ever been on.”
Despite the fallout, Macklemore said he hoped his friendship with Sheeran could survive their disagreement.
“Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement,” he said.
He added that he hoped they would continue discussing “what neutrality means in a moment like this”.
“My door will always be open to continuing that conversation,” he said.