Macklemore donates $1 Million from Ed Sheeran Tour to Palestinian cause

Macklemore is donating the entirety of his $1 million net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinian civilians, days after being dropped from the tour's remaining dates over pro-Palestinian comments he made during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium. 

In an Instagram post Wednesday, September 16, the rapper wrote: "With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom. I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organisations working directly to support the Palestinian people."

According to reporting, the funds will be split among six groups, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera. 

The Palestine Children's Relief Fund thanked Macklemore for the contribution, saying it would help the organization "continue providing critical medical care and humanitarian support to children and families at a time of immense need."

Macklemore also directly challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, to match the donation.

"And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation. Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth." 

Sheeran previously said Kraft had informed him that Macklemore would not be welcome to perform at Gillette Stadium's scheduled Loop Tour dates over his comments, though Sheeran maintained that removing Macklemore from the tour entirely was "the promoter's decision," not his own, stating he was "not complicit" in the choice. 

Macklemore closed his statement with a broader call to sustained attention on the issue. 

"Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free. That is where my focus will remain. I will continue to stand with the Palestinian people and their fight for liberation. When the news cycle moves on, which it will, don't move with it. Free Palestine."

The controversy has continued to ripple through the tour's lineup, with several other opening acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, along with Sheeran's own backing band, Beoga, withdrawing from remaining dates in solidarity with Macklemore.