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Macklemore Defends Pro-Palestine Remarks

Macklemore has responded to criticism over his pro-Palestine statements, which have sparked a petition to drop him from the opening slot on Ed Sheeran's tour.

The Israeli-American Council launched a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates of his Loop Tour. This follows the rapper's onstage declaration of "free Palestine" and his call for "safety and peace" during his set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday.

On Monday, Macklemore posted a video on social media showing a speech he gave to the audience at Saturday's MetLife show. In it, he stressed that his support for Palestine is "in no way a criticism" of Jewish people.

"To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you," he said. "My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality."

He went on to say, "So I say free Palestine, I say free Lebanon, I say free Cuba, I say free Congo, free Sudan, I say free all people in America living in fear of this terrorist organisation, ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free."

The Thrift Shop artist captioned the post: "Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial."

The Israeli-American Council's petition argues that Sheeran's concert is not a political rally or protest, accusing Macklemore of using his opening set "to advance a one-sided political agenda."

His comments have also drawn criticism from fellow musicians. Boy George, who recently released a pro-Israel song, wrote on X that the "Free Palestine" slogan offers "the appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge." Meanwhile, Pink shared a post from an antisemitism group on her Instagram Stories, accusing Macklemore of ambushing Sheeran's fans with "anti-Israel propaganda" and turning "a mainstream event into a political nightmare against the Jewish state."

The British singer-songwriter has yet to comment on the controversy. Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, is scheduled to perform on the Loop Tour through 7 November.

Photo: Cover Media
Source: Muzland
Added by Frank
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