Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ remarks at Ed Sheeran concert spark petition to remove him from tour

NEW JERSEY: Macklemore’s political remarks during his opening set for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium have triggered a petition calling for the rapper to be removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour.

The controversy began Friday night when Macklemore said “Free Palestine” during his performance and addressed the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He returned to the stage Saturday, September 5, and repeated the remarks, saying he believes all people deserve equal freedom.

Macklemore makes political statement during Ed Sheeran concert

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, opened for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday. During his set, he turned his attention to the conflict in the Middle East and told concertgoers that people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank had not been forgotten.

“I believe that every human being walking on this earth deserves exactly the same freedom,” Macklemore said.

He made a similar statement during Saturday’s performance, keeping the issue part of his set across both nights.

Israeli American Council petition calls for Macklemore’s removal

The remarks prompted the Israeli American Council to launch a petition seeking Macklemore’s removal from the remaining Loop tour dates.

The petition argues that while Macklemore has the right to hold political views, an opening act should not use a major concert platform to promote what it describes as a one-sided political agenda. 

“This was an Ed Sheeran concert - not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event,” the petition states.

The petition does not publicly disclose how many signatures it has received.

Macklemore previously addressed Gaza through his music

The rapper has previously used his music to speak about the Israel-Gaza conflict. In 2024, he released 'Hind’s Hall,' a song criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza, with proceeds directed toward humanitarian efforts involving the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

He also referenced US Immigration and Customs Enforcement during his recent concert remarks.

Macklemore’s comments drew sharply different reactions from people attending the shows and from users on social media.

Some concertgoers said they left the venue because they felt the performance had turned into a political event, with some accusing the rapper of antisemitism. Others defended his decision to use the stage for human-rights advocacy.

One social media user argued that music has historically provided a platform for human-rights causes, while others criticized Macklemore’s decision to bring the issue into Sheeran’s concert.