Marty Levine
September 17, 2026
As part of a recent Ed Sheeran concert tour performance, rapper Macklemore introduced his pro-Palestinian protest song, “Hind’s Hall “ with these words. (I’m including the complete transcript so there is no possibility that my editing of it would skew its meaning.)
I’ve been trying to figure out a way to say this all day. One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.
I said, Free Palestine.
I want those words to be loud and clear, so the people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten them.
And this next song was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world; open up hearts, myself included, so thank you to those students that risked their diplomas, that risked their tuition, that risked their scholarships, that stood up and said, no. CUAD students, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voices for Peace. Thank you, guys.
To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.
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.
Billionaire Robert Kraft, while not in the New Jersey audience for this concert, found these words so despicable that he declared he would not allow Macklemore to appear as scheduled in the stadium he owns.
Here’s Mr. Kraft’s full statement explaining what he did and why he did it.
Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech. Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line,” Kraft said.
This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real. But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike. I agree with Macklemore. Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate. Over many decades, I have directed resources to Palestine and created athletic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Palestinians who I admire and respect. Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive.
Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed. I have tremendous respect for Ed and his music, particularly his unique ability to bring people together and spread joy, and I have always been proud to welcome him and his fans to Gillette Stadium.
I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same – peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate.”
He reportedly pressured other stadium owners to follow suit.
As a result, Macklemore was no longer on tour with Ed Sheeran; he had been punished and silenced for his words of protest.
That the words “Free Palestine” offend some those who support Israel is not surprising. That pointing out that Israel’s treatment of its Palestinian citizens and non-citizens has been genocidal is offensive to some of Israel’s supporters is not surprising.
As reported by Rolling Stone, Macklemore responded to Kraft’s telling us he had nothing against the struggle of Palestinians by asking Kraft to match a $1 million donation on their behalf. Here’s Kraft’s response.
I’ve 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. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”
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 did not specify what efforts he supported in his statement.
Kraft wants to move the discussion away from Israel and Palestine. He does not want to accept, as a supporter of Israel, any responsibility for what Israel has done and is doing to Palestinians. He takes no responsibility to address the total devastation of Gaza or the ongoing terror being inflicted on Palestinians living on the West Bank. Yet he can demand that Macklemore condemn Hamas before he says anything that singles out Israel, while rejecting an Israeli critic’s right to focus on the plight of the Palestinian people and not also demonstrate the see Israeli’s and Jews as equal victims.
Mr. Kraft wants us to see him as a great humanitarian who uses his wealth and power for all people and not as a powerful bigot. He wants us to know that he really has black friends and cares for the plight of the Palestinian people
In effect, he can erase Palestinians and use the power of his fortune to amplify this message: condemning Palestinian terrorism and accepting Israeli terrorism because it is being done in the name of Israel (and perhaps, the Jewish people).
Mr. Kraft has the same right that Macklemore has, and that we all do, to speak our minds.
But in a nation which has allowed so much wealth to be captured by a small number of men like Kraft, the scale is tipped. I can write these words of protest of his actions with no ability to match the power of his voice. Because that power comes from his wealth.
