Macklemore has announced he will give $1 million of his net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people. The six groups are the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera. He also extended an invitation to Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, who Macklemore said had led an effort that resulted in his removal from Sheeran’s tour after Kraft blocked him from performing at Gillette Stadium. Sheeran said Tuesday that Macklemore's removal from the tour was the promoter's decision and not his. He said Kraft was among several venue owners who told tour organizers they would pull upcoming shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
In a statement posted to social media on Wednesday afternoon, Macklemore emphasized his focus on the Palestinian people who continue to suffer under military occupation. He said that the situation has nothing to do with him personally or the tour, but is about the rights of Palestinians to freedom, dignity, and safety in their homeland. Macklemore invited Kraft to match his donation, saying that even though they disagree on many issues, they might agree on protecting Palestinian lives. Kraft responded later Wednesday that Sheeran had already contacted him and asked him to commit $2 million to match a $2 million humanitarian donation from Sheeran. A spokesperson for Kraft confirmed that he would provide the matching funds but neither Kraft's post nor the spokesperson identified which groups would receive the money.
Macklemore added that a Palestinian life holds the same value as any other life on Earth. Macklemore said he wants to bring attention to parents carrying children into hospitals and to the doctors, journalists, and aid workers who continue their work despite risks. He noted that these activists are taking far greater personal risk than he is. He stressed that aid alone cannot solve the deep-rooted problems causing suffering in Palestine. Macklemore believes this is a manmade injustice that needs immediate political change. He said Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait any longer for freedom. Macklemore stated that his focus will remain on standing with the Palestinian people in their struggle for liberation. He warned that when media attention shifts elsewhere, people should not follow suit.
The pledge came one day after Sheeran's remaining supporting acts withdrew from the tour following Macklemore's removal. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga announced that they would no longer take part in their scheduled roles.
Earlier in the week, Kraft had explained his decision to block Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium, according to Consequence. Kraft said he was not trying to minimize the pain and loss of innocent Palestinians or deny anyone the right to advocate for them. He agreed with Macklemore that too many lives have been lost and suffering has been great. However, Kraft said that only sharing partial information while ignoring Hamas’s actions is not honest and only increases division and hate. Kraft also said that supporting Palestinians and opposing Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive.