Macklemore Responds to Backlash Over “Free Palestine” Plea: “Wanting All Humans to Be Treated Equal Should Never Be Controversial”

Macklemore faced backlash from a pro-Israel organization after making an onstage plea to “Free Palestine” while opening for Ed Sheeran at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Friday, September 4. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for the rapper's removal from the remaining tour dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour.

The plea was part of Macklemore's performance, which included his pro-Palestine anthem “Hind’s Hall”, named after a five-year-old girl killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. Footage from Gaza and the occupied West Bank was displayed on screens during the performance, which was attended by over 80,000 people.

In response to the backlash, Macklemore stated that wanting all humans to be treated equally should never be controversial. Rights advocates, journalists, and social media users have come out in support of the rapper, praising his expression of support for Palestine.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Middle East Eye — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.