American rapper Macklemore vowed to continue to speak out loudly against Israel’s war in Gaza during the opening of his “Free Palestine” concert tour, organized after being excluded from Ed Sheeran’s opening act due to pro-Palestinian comments.
The Grammy-winning rapper received a deafening ovation in Dublin, where fans in the largely pro-Palestinian country came draped in Palestinian flags, black, red and green soccer jerseys and keffiyeh scarves sold by vendors outside.
“I am proud to be here on stage in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We will continue to fight for collective liberation until our last breath,” Macklemore said on stage, where he waved a Palestinian flag for much of his set.
“Six weeks ago, it only took two words,” he said, referring to the rallying cry of “Free Palestine” and his criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which led to his exclusion from Sheeran’s U.S. tour.
“These two words are so threatening to some people that we would rather silence them than confront what they really mean… Somehow these words have become more controversial than the suffering that made them necessary.”
The crowd, who grabbed 13,000 tickets for the 3Arena in Dublin in just a few minutes, chanted “Free Free Palestine” throughout the demonstration.
Macklemore is a ‘speaker of our times,’ concert attendee says
“We need a speaker for our times. It has to be someone like that who can touch people. He made it so lively, and I came away feeling like I want to be part of something,” said Siobhan Lyons of Dublin, who attended the concert with her daughter.
Irish artists who have spoken out against Israel’s actions came out in support Monday, including “Take Me to Church” singer Hozier, rap group Kneecap and Beoga, one of the groups who left Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Palestinian singer Lina Makhoul and Palestinian-American DJ Habibeats also performed, and pro-Palestinian activists such as Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham spoke between sets.
Sheeran, one of the world’s best-selling artists, said stadium owners for the remaining dates have threatened to ban any further shows with Macklemore on the bill.
Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people were killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza, launched after Hamas-led fighters killed around 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israeli officials deny their actions in Gaza constitute genocide.
The “Free Palestine” tour will continue this week in Paris and London, with U.S. dates to be announced later, Macklemore said.
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