P!nk has responded to the backlash surrounding her recent Instagram repost about Macklemore, saying she did not write the original message and would not have chosen every word used in it. In a lengthy statement, the singer addressed criticism over her position on Israel and Palestine while explaining why she shared the post in the first place.
The controversy began after Macklemore used his opening sets for Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5 to speak about the war in Gaza and call for Palestinian freedom. During his remarks, he said one reason he joined the stadium tour was to have the opportunity to stand in front of American audiences and say “Free Palestine.” He then performed his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall” as footage from Gaza and campus demonstrations played on the venue’s screens.
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Macklemore also addressed Jewish audience members directly, arguing that criticism of Israel, apartheid or genocide should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish people. His remarks drew criticism from Jewish advocacy organizations including StopAntisemitism and the Israeli-American Council, which accused him of presenting contested political claims as fact and called for him to be removed from the remaining shows.
P!nk, who is Jewish, subsequently reshared a StopAntisemitism post about Macklemore without adding her own caption. The repost quickly became controversial, with critics interpreting it as an endorsement of the organization’s wording and accusing P!nk of supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza. After initially responding to some of the criticism with memes, she addressed the issue directly in a lengthy Instagram post on Friday, September 11.
“Last Sunday I reposted somebody else’s post about Macklemore’s set at Ed Sheeran’s show,” P!nk wrote. “It said things in words I didn’t write, and I wouldn’t have chosen all of them.”
The singer went on to clarify that she was born Jewish but does not speak for the Israeli government. She also said she believes Hamas is a terrorist organization while maintaining that Palestinians deserve a future that recognizes their humanity. P!nk connected that position to her decade-long work as a UNICEF ambassador, emphasizing her experience meeting children affected by conflict.
“I’ve spent a decade as a UNICEF ambassador for kids who didn’t choose the country or the war they were born into,” she wrote. “I’ve grieved every one of them, on both sides of that fence.”
P!nk also referenced a 2014 incident involving Macklemore, recalling that she had celebrated his performance of “Same Love” at the Grammys before later seeing him perform in a costume featuring a hooked nose, beard and bowl haircut. She said she interpreted the appearance as antisemitic.
Her broader concern, she explained, was not simply about stopping Macklemore from speaking about Palestine. Instead, P!nk said Jewish families attending a mainstream concert should not feel targeted, while objecting to “Zionist” being used as a slur against people whose individual views have not been established.
“I didn’t do it from behind a screen; I went to those children and held them,” she wrote. “I’m not going to litigate a complex war in an Instagram caption, and I’m not going to recite anybody’s slogan to earn back a follower.”
Macklemore has not withdrawn his comments and remains listed as part of Sheeran’s tour, while Sheeran has not publicly addressed the dispute.
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