Robert Kraft Says He’s Supported Palestinians For Decades As Macklemore Beef Intensifies

Macklemore just put a $1 million donation to Palestine on the table and called out billionaire Robert Kraft to match it.

The Seattle rapper announced he’s giving his entire net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” to six organizations supporting Palestinians, and he’s directly challenging New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to do the same.

This move comes right after Kraft allegedly orchestrated Macklemore’s removal from the tour following the rapper’s onstage “Free Palestine” statements at MetLife Stadium.

Kraft didn’t waste time responding. In a statement posted to Gillette Stadium’s social media, the billionaire claimed that Ed Sheeran had already asked him to commit $2 million to aid efforts in the region before Macklemore even made his challenge.

“I’ve dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting,” Kraft said. “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.”

The timing here is everything. Kraft’s statement conveniently arrived hours after Macklemore’s announcement, and it’s worth noting that Kraft had previously confirmed he banned Macklemore from performing at Gillette, citing what he called “antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.”

Now he’s positioning himself as someone who’s been supporting Palestinian causes for decades.

“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 stated, though he didn’t specify which efforts or organizations he’s supported.

Macklemore’s six organizations include Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and Anera.

In his announcement, the rapper wrote, “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. Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting.”

The controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from the tour has only intensified since his initial statements.

Macklemore claimed that Kraft called Sheeran and rallied other stadium owners to give an ultimatum: drop the rapper or lose tour dates.

All of Ed Sheeran’s supporting acts, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga, subsequently withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Kraft’s actions as censorship, and numerous artists voiced their support for the rapper’s right to speak.

Kraft attempted to soften his position by saying he welcomes dialogue with Macklemore.

“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 said.

Yet the fundamental tension remains unresolved. Macklemore has maintained that his statements were about Palestinian liberation, not antisemitism, and he’s refused to apologize for using his platform to advocate for a cause he believes in.