Macklemore responds to backlash over 'Free Palestine' chant

Macklemore responds to criticism over his 'Free Palestine' plea while opening for Ed Sheeran

Macklemore has responded to criticism over his calls to “Free Palestine” while performing as the opening act on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, saying that equal treatment for all people should not be controversial.

The rapper addressed the backlash on social media on Monday, writing, “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.” He also shared his speech from Saturday’s show at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial. pic.twitter.com/BOJ9xMoIZn

— Macklemore (@macklemore) September 7, 2026

During the performance, Macklemore again said “Free Palestine” before addressing Jewish members of 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.

The comments followed criticism of Macklemore’s opening set on Friday, when he performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall” and discussed his decision to join the tour.

“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) subsequently launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the remaining tour dates.

The petition argued that the concert was not intended to be a political rally or protest and questioned the use of the platform to promote what it described as a “one-sided political agenda”.