Macklemore Donates $1 Million to Palestine Aid After Tour Removal

Macklemore declared he will give away the one million dollars he made opening for Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour to groups helping Palestinians in need, sparking a reply from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

On Monday, the forty-three-year-old artist was removed from Sheeran's "Loop Tour" after repeatedly shouting for a "Free Palestine" and singing his anti-Israel track "Hind's Hall" while opening shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 4 and 5.

Macklemore claimed that Kraft, eighty-five years old, pushed Sheeran to drop him from the lineup by telling the singer he could not play at Gillette Stadium and by urging other venue owners to issue a similar warning. Kraft later admitted he opposed Macklemore's presence at Gillette based on what he described as the rapper's history of antisemitic comments.

Sheeran, thirty-five years old, stated that the choice was made by the tour promoter and stadium bosses, not by him personally.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Macklemore revealed his plans to donate his paycheck from the "Loop Tour" to six organizations, including the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and American Near East Refugee Aid.

"With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom," he wrote.

"I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people," he continued. "And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation. 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."

"I want to center the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them, and the physicians, paramedics, journalists and aid workers who keep going back in," Macklemore added. "I want to center the organizers and activists who have paid real costs for standing with Palestine. Their risk is of a far different order than mine."

Macklemore noted that writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity to him.

"I am doing it because I can and because these organizations are doing the work while much of the world debates it," he wrote. "Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free. That is where my focus will remain. I will continue to stand with the Palestinian people and their fight for liberation."

"When the news cycle moves on, which it will, don't move with it," he concluded. "Free Palestine."

Soon after the rapper challenged Kraft to match his contribution, Kraft said Sheeran had already asked him to commit two million dollars to match the singer's own donation toward humanitarian relief in the region.

"I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.

Before Macklemore issued his challenge to match donations, Kraft received a phone call from Ed requesting a pledge of $2 million. This sum was meant to mirror the initial contribution aimed at helping the region and addressing the humanitarian crisis there. Kraft explained this move through a statement posted on Gillette Stadium's social media accounts.

Ed now intends to contact other venue owners because they hope to work together in building bridges between divided groups. Kraft also addressed those speaking out for Palestinians by noting his long-term support for their opportunities. For decades, he has funded projects that bring young Palestinians and Israelis together to start businesses, create jobs, and forge lasting relationships.

Fox News Digital contacted representatives for both Sheeran and Macklemore seeking comment on the situation. The rapper was originally set to open eight of Sheeran's upcoming tour dates after his two shows at MetLife Stadium.

Macklemore's removal sparked a chain reaction that caused fellow supporting acts like Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga to pull out as well. These musicians stepped down in solidarity following the incident. The ripple effect showed how quickly one decision can alter an entire tour lineup.