New Delhi: Rapper Macklemore has pledged to donate his entire $1 million earning from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians. In a statement issued on social media, Macklemore also challenged New England Patriots owner and US promoter Robert Kraft to match his donation. Kraft, too, issued a statement claiming Sheeran asked him to donate 2 million for aid to the region.
Macklemore, who was dropped out from Sheeran’s Loop Tour over ‘Free Palestine’ remarks, made the announcement on Wednesday, saying he wanted to shift attention back to Palestinians “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 Palestinian people,” he said, adding, “I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation.”
The six organisations set to receive the pledged funds are the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the UNRWA USA National Committee and American Near East Refugee Aid.
The controversy
The pledge comes amid a growing controversy over Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s US tour. The rapper had delivered a “Free Palestine” speech during a performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. In a statement recounting a phone call with Sheeran, Macklemore alleged that Kraft had rallied other NFL stadium operators and threatened to block Sheeran from performing at their venues unless Macklemore was removed from the tour.
In his statement, Macklemore also explained his decision to donate his tour earnings, saying that “writing a check for me is one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to me”.
“I am doing it because I can, and because these organisations are doing the work while much of the world debates it,” he added. The rapper stressed, however, that financial aid alone cannot address the circumstances that make such assistance necessary.
“This is a manmade injustice, and I believe it requires immediate political change,” he wrote. “Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to live another day to be free. That is where my focus will remain.”
Kraft, on the other hand, claimed that Sheeran asked him to donate $2 million towards humanitarian aid in the region. In a statement, issued by Gillette Stadium, the 85-year-old said Sheeran called him earlier on Wednesday, before Macklemore publicly challenged him to match the rapper’s $1 million donation.
“Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis,” Kraft said. “Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners, and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”
Kraft also clarified that he has long supported initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for Palestinians. He said that he had worked to bring young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs and foster relationships.
“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting,” he added.
(Edited by Aakriti Handa)
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