Macklemore gives $1M tour earnings to Palestinian aid groups

US rapper Macklemore has donated $1 million from his earnings from Ed Sheeran’s US tour to six organisations providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

The donation came days after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” following his repeated calls for a “Free Palestine” and performance of his anti-Israel song “Hind’s Hall” during shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.

Macklemore alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pressured Sheeran to remove him from the tour. Kraft later said he opposed Macklemore’s participation at Gillette Stadium over what he described as the rapper’s history of antisemitic rhetoric.

Sheeran has said the decision was made by the tour promoter and venue owners, rather than by him personally.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Macklemore said his $1 million donation would be divided among the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and American Near East Refugee Aid.

He also challenged Kraft to match his donation, saying Palestinian lives should be protected like all others.

Kraft responded that Sheeran had already asked him to commit $2 million to match the singer’s own donation toward humanitarian relief in the region.

Macklemore said he would continue to support Palestinians and ended his post by calling for a “Free Palestine.”

- MaT