Macklemore pledges tour earnings to Palestinian aid groups

Macklemore is donating the $1 million he earned from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to organizations supporting Palestinians, just days after being removed from the tour over his outspoken support for Palestine. 

The 43-year-old rapper announced the decision in an Instagram post on September 16, saying he wanted to shift attention back to the ongoing suffering of Palestinian people.

In his statement, Macklemore called the donation a small gesture compared to the risks faced by aid workers, medical staff, and civilians in the region. 

He said he hoped his contribution would encourage further attention on the crisis and lead to action beyond the current news cycle.

Macklemore detailed that the donation will be split among six organisations working directly in the region, including the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and Medical Aid for Palestinians.

He also publicly invited Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft to match the donation, after Kraft had pushed for Macklemore's removal from the tour, threatening to cancel Sheeran's scheduled stop at the stadium if he remained on the bill.

Macklemore's exit set off a chain reaction, with several other openers, including Finneas, also stepping away from the tour in solidarity. 

Sheeran also broke his silence after the public backlish, but only said the decision to remove Macklemore came from the tour's promoter and affected venues, not from him personally. 

He said he attempted to find a resolution with all parties involved but that the venues' final decision stood. 

Kraft, meanwhile, defended his stance, sharing concerns over rhetoric he felt was offensive to the Jewish community.