Macklemore Responds to Criticism of His 'Free Palestine' Speech at Ed Sheeran's Concert | Just Jared
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Macklemore is speaking out after he faced major backlash for his “Free Palestine” speech while opening up for Ed Sheeran in New Jersey over the weekend.
The “Can’t Hold Us” singer joined Ed‘s Loop Tour as an opener on September 4 and performed at both shows at MetLife Stadium. The second took place on September 5.
Macklemore used a moment during his speech to share views about what’s happening in Israel and Palestine, which received criticism from the Jewish community.
Macklemore shared his full speech on X on Monday, September 7 along with a response to the backlash.
“Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial,” he wrote.
What did Macklemore say about Palestine?
You can read the full transcript of his speech below.
I’ve been trying to figure out a way to say this all day. 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.
I said, Free Palestine.
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.
And this next song was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world; open up hearts, myself included, so thank you to those students that risked their diplomas, that risked their tuition, that risked their scholarships, that stood up and said, no. CUAD students, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voices for Peace. Thank you, guys.
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.
So I say Free Palestine, I say Free Lebanon, I say Free Cuba, I say Free Congo, Free Sudan, I say Free all people in America living in fear of this terrorist organization, ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free.
A petition has launched calling for Macklemore’s removal from the tour
The The Israeli-American Council (IAC) has launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from upcoming tour dates.
The organization said, “This was an Ed Sheeran concert – not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event. The issue is not whether Macklemore has the right to hold political views. The question is where the line should be drawn when an opening act uses a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda.”
Posted To:Ed Sheeran Macklemore Palestine
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