Robert Kraft and Ed Sheeran will each donate $2 million to humanitarian efforts in the region following Macklemore’s decision to donate his $1 million earnings from Sheeran’s Loop Tour to organizations supporting Palestinians. Kraft announced the joint commitment in a statement Thursday, saying Ed Sheeran called him earlier in the day and asked him to contribute to the effort.
“I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting,” Kraft said in the statement, explaining that he and Sheeran would each commit $2 million “to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.” The announcement comes a few hours after Macklemore challenged Kraft to match his $1 million donation.
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The exchange follows a dispute that began after Macklemore performed at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. During his sets, Macklemore performed “Hind’s Hall,” displayed Palestinian imagery and called for a “Free Palestine,” prompting objections from several venues scheduled to host the remaining U.S. dates of the Loop Tour.
Macklemore was subsequently removed from the final eight U.S. support dates. In a statement announcing his $1 million donation, he said he wanted to shift attention away from the controversy and toward Palestinians affected by the conflict. The rapper also invited Kraft to match his contribution, writing that Palestinian lives are “worth protecting.”
Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and the figure who publicly opposed Macklemore appearing at Gillette Stadium, has now responded with a commitment exceeding the amount Macklemore originally proposed. According to his statement, the $2 million contribution was requested by Ed Sheeran before Macklemore issued his public challenge.
Sheeran has also agreed to donate $2 million, bringing the combined commitment from the singer and Kraft to $4 million. Kraft said Sheeran plans to contact other venue owners as part of an effort to expand the initiative and “continue to work together to build bridges.”
The announcement also addresses Kraft’s broader record of engagement involving Israelis and Palestinians. He said that for decades he has supported programs intended to create opportunities for Palestinians while bringing young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs and develop relationships.
The donations come after the controversy surrounding the Loop Tour widened on September 15, when Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Beoga announced that they would withdraw from the remaining U.S. dates in solidarity with Macklemore.
Sheeran previously said Macklemore’s removal was ultimately a decision made by the promoter after venues communicated that they would not host the shows if the rapper remained on the bill. He said he had spoken with venues, promoters and activists on opposing sides in an effort to find a resolution while defending his decision to continue the tour.
With Macklemore’s $1 million pledge followed by $4 million from Kraft and Sheeran, the financial response to the dispute has taken on a new dimension.
Photos: David Silverman (Robert Kraft) / Atlantic Records (Ed Sheeran)
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