Robert Kraft Defends Banning Macklemore From Ed Sheeran Tour After ‘Free Palestine’ Comments: ‘We Do Not Provide a Platform for Hate Speech’

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, has defended his decision to prevent rapper Macklemore from performing with Ed Sheeran at some US tour dates. According to Variety, Kraft stated that his organization does not provide a platform for hate speech.

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had been the opening act for Ed Sheeran's Loop tour. However, he was criticized by Jewish groups after saying "Free Palestine" at two concerts in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, and making political speeches. As reported by BBC News, Macklemore performed his song "Hind's Hall", which condemns Israel's military action in Gaza, while footage of the devastation in Gaza was shown on the big screen.

Robert Kraft explained that based on Macklemore's actions and "a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery", his participation in concerts at Gillette Stadium would be unacceptable, as per TheWrap. Macklemore, in turn, defended his comments, stating that the real victims are the Palestinian people in Gaza. According to Rolling Stone and IOL, Macklemore alleged that Robert Kraft pressured Ed Sheeran to remove him from the tour, with the rapper claiming Kraft told Sheeran that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium and "rallied" other stadium owners.

Brief written by urgent.news from Variety, BBC News, TheWrap, IOL, Rolling Stone — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.