Macklemore fires back at critics with ‘Free Palestine’

US rapper Macklemore has once again voiced his support for Palestinians, repeating his call to “Free Palestine” after facing accusations of antisemitism over remarks made during a recent concert in New York.

The rapper, who has been outspoken about Israel’s military actions and the situation in Gaza, shared a video of his speech at MetLife Stadium on Instagram. In the clip, he tells the packed audience that one of the reasons he embarked on his latest tour was to use his platform to speak about Palestine.

“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,” he said.

Macklemore said he wanted his message to reach people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, stressing that Palestinians had not been forgotten.

His remarks came before he performed “Hind’s Hall”, his 2024 protest song inspired by student demonstrations against Israel’s war in Gaza. The song takes its name from Columbia University students’ decision to rename a campus building after Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl whose death became a symbol of the devastation suffered by children in Gaza.

The rapper also praised students who participated in protests, saying they risked their diplomas, tuition and scholarships by speaking out.

Macklemore then addressed Jewish people directly, seeking to distinguish criticism of Israel from hostility towards Jews.

“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,” he said.

He described his message as one of peace, love, dignity and equality, adding that he wanted freedom for people facing conflict and oppression around the world.

“None of us will be free until we are all free,” he said.

In the caption accompanying his Instagram video, Macklemore said the idea that all people should be treated equally “should not be controversial”.

His comments, however, have drawn criticism. The Israeli American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour, with his MetLife Stadium appearance forming part of the tour.

Macklemore’s position has made him one of the more prominent American musicians to publicly advocate for Palestinians. His song “Hind’s Hall” previously attracted widespread attention for addressing the Gaza war and the student protests in the United States.

The controversy comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to dominate international debate. According to the figures cited in the original report, nearly 73,500 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began in 2023, despite a ceasefire having been in place since October last year.

Lebanon has also faced Israeli military operations, with the report saying nearly 9,000 people have been killed there since 2023.

For Macklemore, however, the message remains unchanged: “Free Palestine.”