Macklemore Pledges $1 Million for Palestinian Relief

Macklemore said September 16 he will donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians—Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera—and invited Robert Kraft to match. "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," he wrote, urging focus on civilians, aid workers and activists. He had been removed from the tour September 14 after an early-September MetLife Stadium pro-Palestinian speech and "Hind's Hall" performance. Sheeran said he was not involved and prefers neutrality; openers Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga withdrew September 15 in solidarity. Kraft, owner of the Patriots and Gillette Stadium, said Sheeran called him earlier that day before Macklemore's invitation and asked him to commit $2 million to aid in the region. Kraft said he has long supported efforts bringing young Palestinians and Israelis together. A Kraft representative had initially declined to comment. The tour stops at Gillette September 25-26 with no openers listed.