Joe Rogan defends Macklemore, says criticism of ‘Israel’ is not antisemitic

• Rogan describes the rapper’s message as addressing what “seems like a crime against humanity”.
• Macklemore was recently removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour following his pro-Palestinian remarks.

Podcast host Joe Rogan has defended rapper Macklemore amid accusations that his outspoken criticism of ‘Israel’ is antisemitic, saying the artist is addressing what he described as a potential “crime against humanity.”

“The Macklemore thing is really crazy because people were saying that it’s antisemitic,” Rogan said. “There’s nothing about what he’s saying that’s antisemitic. What he’s doing is talking about what to most people seems like a crime against humanity.”

Rogan’s comments come after renewed controversy surrounding Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian activism.

Macklemore has repeatedly spoken out in support of Palestinians and released his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall,” which supported pro-Palestinian student demonstrations and condemned the war in Gaza. The song also rejected the characterization of criticism of ‘Israel’ as inherently antisemitic.

The controversy intensified after Macklemore performed “Hind’s Hall” and voiced support for Palestine during an appearance on Ed Sheeran’s tour in September. He was subsequently removed from the tour following backlash over his remarks, with Robert Kraft and other critics accusing him of crossing a line with the Jewish community.

Macklemore has maintained that his criticism is directed at the actions and policies of the ‘Israeli’ government rather than Jewish people.

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