Macklemore Responds to Backlash Over “Free Palestine” Plea: “Wanting All Humans to Be Treated Equal Should Never Be Controversial”

Macklemore is doubling down after facing backlash from a pro-Israel organization over his “Free Palestine” public plea while opening for Ed Sheeran‘s Loop Tour. On Monday, the rapper wrote on social media, “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.” His post also included his speech from Saturday, the second night of back-to-back shows at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. After stating “Free Palestine” again onstage Saturday night, Macklemore later clarified to the audience, “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,” he added. This came a day after Macklemore’s opening set on Friday drew criticism for the rapper’s performance of his protest song “Hind’s Hall” and telling the audience, “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.” The Israeli-American Council (IAC) launched a petition in response, calling for Macklemore’s removal for the remaining tour dates. “This was an Ed Sheeran concert – not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event,” the petition read in part. “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.” The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Sheeran’s rep for comment, but did not hear back at the time of publication.