Macklemore Responds to Backlash Over Ed Sheeran Concert as Pink Joins Criticism
Rapper Macklemore defended his controversial pro-Palestinian opening set for Ed Sheeran in New Jersey, while pop star Pink joined Jewish fans in criticizing the performance as anti-Israel propaganda.
Two days after the storm erupted over Macklemore's performance as the opening act for Ed Sheeran, the American rapper addressed the controversy in a video posted on his Instagram account. "The desire for all human beings to be treated equally should never be controversial," he stated in the video, which captured him delivering a speech on stage.
The controversial concert took place on September 4 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, as part of Sheeran's "Mathematics" (Mathematics Tour) loop. According to a petition launched by the Israeli-American Council (IAC), Macklemore delivered lengthy political messages during his opening set, chanted "Free Palestine," and performed his song "Hind's Hall" while images from Gaza and other political slogans were projected on the stadium screens.
Earlier, American pop star Pink joined the wave of criticism against the pro-Palestinian opening act in New Jersey. The singer, who boasts 12 million followers on Instagram, shared a video from the concert on her Instagram Story, criticizing Macklemore and the decision to turn Sheeran's stage into a political arena.
The video shared by Pink showed clips from Macklemore's performance alongside the text:
"Horrible. Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing last night in New Jersey, not to be ambushed by Macklemore with anti-Israel propaganda. Instead, Macklemore took the stage wearing a keffiyeh, shouted 'Free Palestine', falsely accused Israel of 'genocide', and turned a mainstream event into a political nightmare against the State of Israel."
