Macklemore has pledged $1 million from his earnings on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians and challenged Robert Kraft to match the donation, while Sheeran has lost more than 200,000 Instagram followers amid the continuing backlash over the tour.
The artists who have left or been dropped from the tour, meanwhile, have gained a combined 1.638 million followers as the controversy continues to grow.
Macklemore announced the donation on Wednesday, saying he would give away his entire $1 million net earnings from Sheeran’s tour to organisations supporting Palestinian people. He also called on Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, to match his contribution.
“And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation,” Macklemore wrote. “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.”
Kraft responded about two hours later, saying that he had already spoken with Sheeran before Macklemore issued the challenge. Kraft added that Sheeran had asked him to commit $2 million to humanitarian efforts in the region. He did not clarify if he had specifically donated to Gaza or the West Bank.
“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his 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 did not specify which organisations would receive the money in his statement. He also mentioned that he had supported initiatives involving Palestinians and Israelis for decades.
“In addition, I’d like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships,” Kraft concluded.
The donation exchange comes after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour following his comments supporting Palestine during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. Kraft had criticised Macklemore saying “Free Palestine” and cited what he described as a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Kraft said that he would still welcome a conversation with Macklemore, adding that both wanted to see an end to the war. Sheeran has said that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoters and was not his decision.
The controversy has also affected the rest of the tour’s supporting acts. Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga have all withdrawn from the tour following Macklemore’s removal.
Sheeran said in a statement that he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and described the suffering on “both sides” as a “human tragedy.”
Despite the statement, Sheeran has continued to face backlash on social media. His Instagram following has dropped by more than 200,000, while the artists who left or were dropped from the tour have collectively gained about 1.638 million followers.
