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<\/a><\/p>\nMacklemore performs at the Goldencoast Rap Festival in Corcelles-les-Monts, near Dijon, central-eastern France, on August 30, 2026. (Photo by Arnaud Finistre\/AFP)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Known for such hits as \u201cThrift Shop\u201d and \u201cSame Love,\u201d the rapper\u2019s anti-Israel monologue at the performances preceded his 2024 song, \u201cHind\u2019s Hall,\u201d referring to Columbia University\u2019s Hamilton Hall, which pro-Palestinian protesters occupied and unofficially renamed for Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed during the war in Gaza. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart, \u2018Free Palestine\u2019,\u201d he said at the show he opened for Ed Sheeran Saturday night, according to videos posted from the concerts. \u201cI 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 their back and that we have not forgotten them.\u201d<\/p>\n
He went on to dedicate the song to \u201cthe bravery of Columbia University students, the encampment movement that mobilized the entire world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEd Sheeran \u2013 do not allow your stage to be used to divide people or spread one-sided political propaganda,\u201d IAC said, circulating a petition demanding Macklemore be taken off the bill for his remaining nine dates of the tour.<\/p>\n
Messages left for representatives of Macklemore, Ed Sheeran and the concert promoters AEG and the Messina Group were not returned.<\/p>\n
Macklemore addressed the Jewish community directly during his appearances, saying, \u201cTo all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is criticism of you. My message is for peace, love and for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reactions to Macklemore\u2019s remarks were far from unanimous. Some fans took to social media to praise him.<\/p>\n
Macklemore has been speaking out against Israel\u2019s conduct of the war in Gaza since late October 2023. He was one of the first of 55 performers to sign the Artists4CeaseFire open letter to then-President Joe Biden calling for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the delivery of lifesaving aid to civilians in Gaza.<\/p>\n