{
  "id": 6150788,
  "title": "Macklemore calls for a ‘free Palestine’ during Ed Sheeran shows, prompting praise and backlash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/macklemore-calls-for-a-free-palestine-during-ed-sheeran-shows",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T16:25:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/trending/macklemore-faces-backlash-pro-israel-groups-free-palestine-ed-sheeran"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rapper Macklemore performed a pro-Palestine anthem and made a passionate speech supporting Palestinians during Ed Sheeran's Loop tour, drawing both praise and condemnation. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition to remove Macklemore from future tour dates, accusing him of spreading propaganda and antisemitic rhetoric. However, many supporters praised Macklemore for his courage and bravery, accusing pro-Israel accounts of attempting to curb free speech. The Israeli-American Council argued that the performance was political propaganda, while the Anti-Defamation League labeled Macklemore's statements as false accusations of genocide and antisemitic rhetoric.",
  "summary": "Macklemore calls for a ‘free Palestine’ during Ed Sheeran shows, prompting praise and backlash Submitted by Ghalia Mohamed on Mon, 09/07/2026 - 13:42 Pro-Israeli organisation accused of attempting to curb free speech after launching petition to remove American rapper from tour Macklemore performing at the Goldencoast Rap Festival in Corcelles-les-Monts, France, last month (Arnaud Finistre/AFP)…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Stereogum",
        "title": "Macklemore Posts His “Free Palestine” Speech Amid Petition Calling For Ed Sheeran To Drop Him From Tour Over It",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/macklemore-posts-his-free-palestine-speech-amid-petition-calling-for",
        "published": "2026-09-07T17:56:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Macklemore calls for a ‘free Palestine’ during Ed Sheeran shows, prompting praise and backlash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/macklemore-calls-for-a-free-palestine-during-ed-sheeran-shows-6157913",
        "published": "2026-09-07T18:45:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "Macklemore Faces Petition to Leave Ed Sheeran Tour After ‘Free Palestine’ Plea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/macklemore-faces-petition-to-leave-ed-sheeran-tour-after-free",
        "published": "2026-09-07T19:36:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Macklemore Responds to Backlash Over “Free Palestine” Plea: “Wanting All Humans to Be Treated Equal Should Never Be Controversial”",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/macklemore-responds-to-backlash-over-free-palestine-plea-wanting-all",
        "published": "2026-09-08T00:44:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}