Macklemore Responds to Backlash Over ‘Free Palestine’ Chant at Ed Sheeran Show: ‘Wanting All Humans to be Treated Equal Should Never Be Controversial’

Rapper Macklemore is maintaining his stance on the "Free Palestine" chants he delivered during his opening sets at Ed Sheeran's Loop tour, despite facing criticism from Jewish organizations and other artists. In a post on X, Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, emphasized that wanting all humans to be treated equally should not be a controversial topic.

He explained his decision to chant "Free Palestine" during his performances, stating that he wanted to support those in Gaza and the West Bank who have been affected by the conflict. Macklemore performed his song "Hind's Hall," which addresses the killing of Palestinian girl Hind Rajab by Israeli forces, during his sets. The Israeli-American Council (IAC) launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the next eight U.S. stadium shows he was scheduled to open for Sheeran through early November.

Macklemore reiterated his position during Saturday's show, chanting "Free Palestine" once again and adding that criticism of Israel or the Palestinian cause does not equate to a criticism of Jewish individuals. Israel has denied allegations of genocide in its ongoing war against Hamas, which has resulted in the deaths of over 73,000 Palestinians and over 174,000 wounded.