On Wednesday, the rapper Macklemore announced he would donate $1 million, representing his full net earnings from his now-truncated role on the Ed Sheeran tour, to six organizations that support Palestinian people. In his announcement, Macklemore challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match his efforts. “Whatever we disagree about,” Macklemore wrote, “perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth supporting.” He added that “writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to me.”
The two figures were at odds earlier in the week when Kraft used his stadium ownership role to help oust Macklemore from Sheeran’s tour. Kraft accused the artist of having a “history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery” and expressed distress over unspecified “material shared from the stage” during Macklemore’s performances supporting Palestine. Following Macklemore’s removal, Sheeran’s other opening acts resigned from the tour in protest.
Kraft responded with a statement emphasizing his own history of philanthropy: “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.” Kraft noted that for decades, he has “supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.”
Kraft also revealed that he had heard from Sheeran, who asked him to commit $2 million “to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.” While Kraft’s statement did not confirm an additional donation at this time, it noted that along with Sheeran and other stadium owners, “our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.” The report also notes that the Ed Sheeran tour continues this weekend in Philadelphia and tickets are available.
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