Key facts
- Macklemore's tour proceeds will go to organizations supporting Palestinians.
- Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's tour after pro-Palestinian statements.
- Macklemore called Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide, a claim Israel rejects.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, commenced his "Free Palestine" tour in Dublin, Ireland, on Monday. The tour follows his recent exclusion from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after the American rapper made pro-Palestinian statements during his performances. Macklemore has pledged to donate the proceeds from his current tour to organizations that support Palestinians. His remarks, which included calling Israel's military actions in Gaza a genocide, have drawn criticism from Jewish groups, though Israel disputes the genocide claim. The conflict escalated following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which Israel states led to its military campaign in Gaza.