Macklemore to donate Loop tour earnings to Gaza charities

Rapper Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, has pledged to donate the entire $1 million in net earnings he stands to make from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to charities supporting Palestinian people. This decision follows Macklemore's removal from the tour following controversial comments he made about Gaza. Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour supporting acts, including Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Beoga, have also dropped out of the remaining tour dates in solidarity with Macklemore's stance.

In an Instagram post, Macklemore expressed his desire to refocus the conversation on Palestinian people who continue to suffer from military occupation and the fight for their freedom. He pledged to donate the $1 million to six organizations directly supporting the Palestinian people, including the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA, and American Near East Refugee Aid.

Macklemore accused promoter Robert Kraft of dropping him from the tour due to a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery, which he believes has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community. He invited Kraft to match his donations, emphasizing that the lives of Palestinians should be protected equally to all others. Macklemore believes the situation is a manmade injustice that requires immediate political change.

Sheeran responded to the situation stating that Macklemore's departure from the tour was a decision made by the promoters, not himself. He expressed his personal views on the devastating conflict between Israel and Palestine, while stating that he respects Macklemore as an artist and is appalled by the conflict. Sheeran's next performance is scheduled for September 19th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.