Robert Kraft's drives tour cancelation of Macklemore
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Rapper Macklemore stated on Instagram on Monday that he was dropped from the Ed Sheeran tour after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told Sheeran that he "would not be allowed to perform" at Gillette Stadium.
"Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues," Macklemore said in his post.
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Macklemore emphasized that the reason he wanted to do this tour is so he can call for a free Palestine.
“I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them, " he stated.
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Kraft, a long-time supporter of 'Israel', has engaged in extensive advocacy against the Palestinian-led boycott movement.
In 2019, Kraft was awarded ‘Israel's’ prestigious Genesis Prize, presented to him in Jerusalem by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the ceremony, Netanyahu remarked, "Israel does not have a more loyal friend than Robert Kraft," welcoming Kraft's stand against "efforts by our enemies to undermine the State of Israel."
In 2017, Kraft pledged $6 million to construct the first regulation-size American football field in 'Israel'.
Later that year, he traveled with several NFL Hall of Famers for the grand opening of the Kraft Family Sports Campus and has since organized ongoing "Touchdown in Israel" trips.
The venue backlash intensified following Macklemore's performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he voiced support for Palestine and displayed imagery of the devastation in Gaza during his track "Hind's Hall."
Read more: Mayor invites Macklemore to perform after Ed Sheeran tour removal
Kraft confirmed his decision to ban Macklemore from Gillette Stadium due to the artist's onstage expressions of support for Palestinians.
Tour promoters subsequently informed Sheeran that several major venues, including Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, would not permit concerts featuring Macklemore to proceed, leading to his removal from the tour lineup.
