Macklemore says 'Free Palestine' call was not an attack on Jewish people

Rapper Macklemore has said his recent calls to 'Free Palestine' while on tour with singer Ed Sheeran in the US were not intended as an attack on Jewish people. The comments sparked controversy, with some ticket buyers calling for Macklemore to be removed from the tour after he made the remarks at two live dates in New Jersey over the weekend. In a video posted on his social media channels on Monday, Macklemore stated that criticism of Israel or apartheid was not a criticism of Jewish people. The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to an unprecedented Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Since then, more than 73,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Ed Sheeran has been touring his latest album Play since January and had Macklemore as his support act for the remainder of the tour. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour, claiming that Macklemore used the stage to deliver an extended political message and performed a song that condemns Israel's military action in Gaza. However, Macklemore received praise and support from some fans after he uploaded a video on Monday, captioned 'Wanting all humans to be treated equally should never be controversial.' The International Court of Justice is currently hearing a case brought by South Africa that accuses Israeli forces of genocide, but it could take years to reach a conclusion. Israel has called the case 'wholly unfounded' and based on 'biased and false claims.' Macklemore made his initial comments at Sheeran's New Jersey shows on Friday and Saturday as he introduced his 2024 protest song Hind's Hall, which condemns Israel's military action in Gaza.