Ed Sheeran and Billionaire Robert Kraft Counter Macklemore Pledge With $4 Million Gaza Relief Package

Ed Sheeran and billionaire Robert Kraft have pledged a combined $4 million (£3 million) towards humanitarian aid in the region after Macklemore announced he would donate his $1 million (£748,000) in net earnings from Sheeran's Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians.

Kraft said Sheeran contacted him before Macklemore publicly challenged him to match the donation, adding a new financial dimension to the dispute that erupted after the rapper was removed from the tour.

Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft Pledge $4 Million

Kraft said Sheeran asked him to commit $2 million (£1.5 million) to help address what he described as a humanitarian crisis in the region, and he agreed, bringing their combined commitments to $4 million (£3 million).

'Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million (£1.5 million),' Kraft said.

Kraft added that Sheeran planned to reach out to other venue owners, saying their goal was to 'build bridges'.

Macklemore Pledges His $1 Million Tour Earnings

Earlier, Macklemore said he would donate his entire $1 million (£748,000) net earnings from the Loop Tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians: the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA and Anera.

'I will be donating the entire $1 million (£748,000) of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people,' he wrote on Instagram.

He also challenged Kraft to match the donation, saying: 'Palestinian lives are worth protecting.'

Macklemore said he wanted to shift attention away from the controversy and towards Palestinians affected by the humanitarian crisis.

The rapper's pledge came after he was dropped from Sheeran's remaining US tour dates amid fallout over his pro-Palestinian remarks at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Where It All Began

Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates after performances at MetLife Stadium on 4 and 5 September, where he called for a 'Free Palestine', spoke about Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and performed 'Hind's Hall' alongside images of destruction in Gaza.

Messina Touring Group said venues had told the promoter they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the line-up. Sheeran later said the decision was made by the promoter and venues, rather than by him.

Kraft separately confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium, citing his recent actions and what Kraft described as a broader history of 'antisemitic rhetoric and imagery' that he said was offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.

The dispute also prompted all four remaining supporting acts, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, to withdraw from Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

What Happens to the Donations?

Together, Macklemore, Sheeran and Kraft have now committed a total of $5 million (£3.74 million) towards humanitarian causes. However, the commitments are structured differently.

Macklemore has identified the organisations he plans to support with his $1 million (£748,000), while Sheeran and Kraft have not yet announced specific recipients for their combined $4 million (£3 million) commitment.

Kraft said he has supported initiatives involving Palestinians and Israelis for decades, including efforts to create jobs and bring young people from both communities together.

The pledges come as the fallout from Macklemore's removal continues, putting humanitarian aid at the centre of a dispute that began with political expression at a concert.