Pink Explains Jewish Background After Saying Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' Speech 'Scared' Her

Pink has explained why Macklemore's remarks at an Ed Sheeran concert 'scared' her, revealing more about her Jewish background after facing days of backlash over a post criticising the rapper.

The 47-year-old singer addressed the row in a lengthy Instagram statement after Macklemore's pro-Palestine speeches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month, stressing that her concern was not his use of the phrase 'Free Palestine'.

The dispute began after Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, opened for Sheeran on 4 and 5 September. During his performances, he called for a 'Free Palestine' and spoke about Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He also addressed Jewish members of the audience, saying criticism of Israel was 'in no way' criticism of them.

Why Pink Said Macklemore's Speech 'Scared' Her

Pink became involved after reposting criticism of Macklemore's performance. The post drew a fierce online response, prompting the singer to return days later with a detailed explanation in her own words.

'I was born a Jew. I didn't pick it, and I've never hidden it,' Pink wrote. She said people had made assumptions about her political views based on both the repost and her Jewish identity.

Pink said her objection was not to 'Free Palestine' or Macklemore's right to express that position. Instead, she pointed to the combination of images from the war shown during the concert and his subsequent message to Jewish attendees.

She said she wanted to be able to say, as a Jewish mother, that the moment 'scared me, and it scared people I love' without having that fear dismissed. Pink added that she had never asked for Macklemore to be silenced or removed from the tour.

What Is Pink's Jewish Background?

Born Alecia Beth Moore in Pennsylvania in 1979, Pink has publicly identified as Jewish for years. Her Jewish heritage comes through her mother, Judith Kugel, whose family is Ashkenazi Jewish.

In her latest statement, however, Pink focused less on genealogy and more on what that identity means to her. She described herself as a Jewish mother and ended her message by discussing her family's Rosh Hashanah traditions, including lighting candles and dipping apples in honey.

The singer also made clear that being Jewish did not mean she was speaking for the Israeli government. She reiterated her view that Palestinians deserve a future that respects their humanity and aspirations, while describing Hamas as a terrorist organisation and stating that innocent lives should be protected.

Pink Revisits Macklemore's 2014 Costume Controversy

Pink also explained why Macklemore's words carried additional history for her. She recalled supporting his performance of 'Same Love' at the 2014 Grammys before he later appeared in a costume featuring a fake hooked nose, beard and wig.

Macklemore apologised after the outfit was criticised as invoking antisemitic stereotypes. Pink said she accepted that apology at the time but referenced the incident while explaining her response to his latest performance.

Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour

The row has since widened. Tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that Macklemore would not perform on the remaining US dates after venues said they would not host concerts with him on the line-up.

Macklemore has continued to defend his Palestine advocacy, while Sheeran said on 16 September that removing the rapper was the promoter's decision rather than his own.

Pink, meanwhile, has drawn a clear distinction in her response: she is not asking Macklemore to stop speaking about Palestine but wants Jewish listeners to be able to describe how his performance made them feel without having their concerns defined for them.