Macklemore wearing a keffiyeh
Macklemore responds to backlash over remarks at Ed Sheeran concert
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- Macklemore says "wanting all humans treated equal should never be controversial" in response to backlash at Ed Sheeran shows."
Rapper Macklemore addressed the backlash over his pro-Palestinian remarks on Monday, posting a video to Instagram in which he said his criticism of ‘Israel’ is not an attack on Jewish people, days after opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium.
Macklemore captioned the post, "Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial."
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In the video, he said the words "Free Palestine" are "dear to his heart" and that he wanted them to be "loud and clear" so people in Gaza and the West Bank know "we have not forgotten them."
He said he was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led campus encampment protests, thanking Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace for what he described as their courage.
Turning to the controversy directly, Macklemore said: "To all my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid and opposition to genocide are in no way criticism of you. My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality."
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He then broadened his message, saying: "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."
The comments follow criticism of Macklemore's opening set on Friday, Sep. 4, during which he performed his protest song "Hind's Hall".
That performance prompted the ‘Israeli’-American Council to launch a petition calling for Macklemore to be dropped from the remainder of Sheeran's US tour dates.
Read more: Macklemore calls for “Free Palestine” & performs “Hind’s Hall” at Ed Sheeran concert
