Macklemore Defends 'Free Palestine' Speech at Ed Sheeran Concert: 'Equality Isn't Controversial'

Macklemore has broken his silence concerning the backlash over his 'Free Palestine' speech during Ed Sheeran's shows on Friday, 4 September, and Saturday, 5 September, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

'Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial,' said American rapper Macklemore, real name Benjamin Hammond Haggerty. Along with this statement, Macklemore also shared a video of his speech on X, where he has 1.9 million followers.

Loud Cheers, Some Online Jeers

'One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here, on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine,' Macklemore said in the video, as parts of the crowd cheered.

'I said Free Palestine,' and the crowd's cheer was even louder. 'I want those words to be loud and clear, so the people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten them.'

Some concertgoers, including Jewish attendees, expressed disappointment on social media. One father said on X, addressing Sheeran: 'I brought my wife and two daughters to MetLife Friday because we are huge fans of yours... Then Macklemore decided to turn your concert into his political rally.'

A few concertgoers—some Jewish and others with Jewish family and friends—shared their disappointment with Sheeran's opening act. But Macklemore clarified that his 'Free Palestine' stance should not be equated to hate against Jewish people.

'Why do I need to hear this BS at a concert that I'm supposedly going to, to hear amazing music? If Macklemore feels so strongly about Palestine, then maybe he should donate all of his tour earnings to them?' another concertgoer said.

'Criticism of Israel Is Not Criticism of Jewish People'

'To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality,' Macklemore also said.

He ended by calling for freedom for Palestine, Lebanon, Cuba, Congo and Sudan, before turning his criticism toward ICE. The backlash also put pressure on Sheeran, with the Israeli-American Council calling for Macklemore to be removed from the remaining US tour dates.

Some of the criticisms came from fellow artists like Pink and Boy George. Pink shared a StopAntisemitism post to her Instagram Story that criticised Macklemore's performance as 'anti-Israel propaganda' and called for Sheeran to apologise and issue refunds.

Boy George was more explicit in his criticism: 'On the subject of Macklemore, it's important to note that slogans such as "Free Palestine" offer the appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge.'

'Ed Sheeran clearly has no spine... Good on Pink for speaking out and hopefully, at some point, Ed Sheeran will address this issue,' Boy George also said. Sheeran had not publicly commented on the controversy as of publication.

Philadelphia is the next stop on Sheeran's Loop Tour, scheduled for 19 September 2026. Macklemore is still listed as the supporting act, along with Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe.