Robert Kraft responds to Macklemore’s $1M Palestine pledge, says Ed Sheeran asked him to commit $2M

Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour has set off a chain reaction, with the Seattle artist pledging $1 million to Palestinian causes and challenging New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match it. Kraft responded, saying Sheeran had asked him to commit $2 million.

Macklemore calls out Kraft

Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after saying “Free Palestine” at a show last week. On Instagram, the artist called out New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

According to Macklemore, Kraft told Sheeran he wouldn’t be allowed to perform at their next tour stop in Gillette Stadium, owned by the Kraft Group. Macklemore said Kraft also rallied other stadium owners who threatened to block Sheeran from their venues if Macklemore stayed on the tour.

“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, and I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation,” Macklemore wrote on Instagram.

“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 added.

Kraft responds

Robert Kraft responded with the following statement.

I have 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.”

However, Ed Sheeran has not publicly shared plans for a donation of his own, and Kraft didn’t explicitly commit to a new donation. He only pointed out he has supported efforts in the region “for decades.”

What’s next for Ed Sheeran?

Ed Sheeran is set to perform in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday.

Who is performing with him remains a mystery, after all four of Sheeran’s supporting acts on the tour subsequently dropped out in solidarity with Macklemore, The Guardian reported Tuesday.

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