Macklemore donates $1 million from Ed Sheeran tour earnings to Palestinian aid organizations

Macklemore has announced his intention to donate the $1 million in net earnings he received from supporting Ed Sheeran on his Loop Tour to organizations working to support the Palestinian people. The rapper was dropped from Sheeran’s current tour after stating ‘free Palestine’ on stage and delivering a political speech at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at the beginning of September. He appeared to place the blame on New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, suggesting that the mogul had influenced other stadium owners to refuse to allow him to perform at their venues. Macklemore’s donation will go to six organizations including Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and Anera. In his social media post, Macklemore emphasized the ongoing suffering of Palestinians under military occupation and called for support for those fighting for freedom. He specifically invited Robert Kraft to match his donation, stating ‘Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.’ The announcement comes after a series of events involving Ed Sheeran’s tour, with all supporting acts dropping out in solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian cause. Sheeran had previously stated he had nothing to do with Macklemore’s dismissal and preferred to remain neutral on political causes. Macklemore’s actions highlight his commitment to the Palestinian cause, with his focus on ‘centering the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them, and the physicians, paramedics, journalists and aid workers who keep going back in.’ The rapper reiterated that ‘Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free,’ and urged continued support for the Palestinian people beyond the current news cycle.