Rapper Macklemore made headlines after delivering remarks in support of a free Palestine while opening for Ed Sheeran at two concerts held in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The shows took place on September 4 and 5 at MetLife Stadium as part of Sheeran’s Loop Tour. Macklemore was one of several opening acts, along with Lukas Graham and BIIRD. He introduced his song 'Hind’s Hall' by referencing the bravery of Columbia University students who took part in an encampment movement following the killing of a Palestinian child. The child was Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza in January 2024. The song takes its title from Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall, which pro-Palestinian protesters occupied and unofficially renamed in Rajab’s memory. Macklemore explained that the song was inspired by the courage of those students, who brought global attention to the situation in Gaza. Macklemore released 'Hind’s Hall' in May 2024 and said proceeds from streaming the track would go to UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. In August 2026, Reuters reported that the Israeli military acknowledged its troops were responsible for Rajab’s death and opened a criminal investigation into the incident.
He also mentioned his support for various groups including CUAD students, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace, according to Consequence. Macklemore emphasized that criticism of Israel or opposition to apartheid does not mean criticism of Jewish people, according to a report from TheWrap. He said his message was one of peace, love, and dignity for all people. Macklemore went on to call for freedom in Palestine, Lebanon, Cuba, Congo, Sudan, and for those living under fear of ICE. He ended the remarks by saying that none of us will be free until we are all free. During the performances, footage connected to Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and pro-Palestinian demonstrations appeared on the stadium screens. Reaction among concertgoers was divided. CBS News New York interviewed attendees who said they left their seats during Macklemore’s set and returned when Sheeran took the stage, while another attendee praised the rapper for using his platform to speak about an issue he cared about.
The Israeli American Council responded by launching a petition demanding that Ed Sheeran remove Macklemore from the rest of his tour. The petition stated that while Macklemore has a right to hold political views, the remarks were inappropriate during a concert. It also asked tour organizers to say whether Macklemore’s speech, visual material, and performance of 'Hind’s Hall' had been approved in advance and called for clearer rules on political messaging during the tour. Macklemore had been announced in advance as an official opening act, although there has been no independent confirmation that Sheeran personally approved the political speech or accompanying visuals. The petition had not resulted in his removal from the tour as of September 7. Macklemore performed as scheduled on September 5. His upcoming scheduled appearances included shows in Philadelphia on September 19 and Foxborough, Massachusetts, on September 25 and 26. He said that one of the reasons he joined the tour was to speak out about his belief in freedom for Palestine.
Macklemore reiterated that he supports peace and equality for all people. His remarks drew criticism from other public figures, including P!NK and Boy George. P!NK shared a post from the advocacy group StopAntisemitism that questioned claims of genocide in Gaza. P!NK did not add a separate public explanation of her own to the repost. Boy George also posted on social media, criticizing both Macklemore and Sheeran. George asked Sheeran to either back Macklemore or remove him from the tour and later wrote that he had never been a fan of Sheeran. The Anti-Defamation League also criticized Macklemore’s comments, calling them completely unacceptable. Israel denies accusations that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide, and the International Court of Justice has not issued a final judgment on the merits of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. The case remains in the written-pleadings stage, with the ICJ setting further filing deadlines extending into 2029.
Ed Sheeran has not yet responded to the controversy. CBS News New York reported late on September 7 that Sheeran and his team had not returned multiple requests for comment. Macklemore continues to stand by his comments and has not issued a public apology. On September 7, he posted video of his remarks and wrote that wanting all humans to be treated equally should never be controversial. His latest statements also follow years of public advocacy on the issue; in 2023, he was among 55 performers who signed an Artists4Ceasefire letter calling for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.