Jewish Groups Cheer Macklemore's Removal From Ed Sheeran Tour After Sept. 4 Israel Criticism
Updated
Updated · Slate · Sep 16
Jewish Groups Cheer Macklemore's Removal From Ed Sheeran Tour After Sept. 4 Israel Criticism
3 articles · Updated · Slate · Sep 16
Summary
Robert Kraft and the Anti-Defamation League publicly welcomed Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour after the rapper’s Sept. 4 speech called for a “free Palestine” and described Israel as committing “genocide” and “apartheid.”
Kraft confirmed Macklemore would not play at his stadium, saying the appearance would cross from a welcoming environment into hate speech, while ADL chief Jonathan Greenblatt had urged venue operators to “demonstrate their values” before praising the outcome.
The dispute widened after Sheeran dropped Macklemore and his other opening acts quit in solidarity, amid claims that pressure from NFL stadium owners helped freeze the rapper out of the tour.
The episode highlights a broader fight over whether harsh criticism of Israel is antisemitic, with major Jewish organizations pushing that view even as polls cited in the report show many American Jews also believe Israel has committed war crimes or genocide in Gaza.
With all opening acts quitting in solidarity, will this stadium boycott trigger a larger rebellion against venue owners policing artists' personal views?
When billionaires dictate who performs, does political speech in the music industry still exist or is it just corporate approved?
If international courts use the same terminology as a banned artist, where exactly is the line drawn between legal critique and hate speech?