Pink Calls Out Macklemore Over Pro-Palestine Concert Comments

Macklemore used his opening set at Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium show to call for a free Palestine and labeled ICE a 'terrorist organization.' A pro-Israel advocacy group now wants him off the rest of the tour.

• Macklemore told the crowd his reason for joining the tour was to say 'Free Palestine' on stadium stages.
• He performed 'Hind's Hall' as footage related to Gaza and campus protests played on stadium screens.
• 8 remaining U.S. stadium shows are scheduled between mid-September and early November.
• Pink reposted an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism criticizing the performance, without adding her own comment.

Why it matters: The Israeli-American Council, which says it represents more than 150,000 Israeli Americans, argues an opening act should not use another artist's tour to advance political messaging. The petition also asks Sheeran's team to disclose whether the speech and visuals were approved in advance.

• StopAntisemitism called the performance propaganda and said concertgoers are owed refunds.
• Sheeran has not publicly responded to the petition or the controversy.

How 19 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether Macklemore's speech was a legitimate exercise of artistic expression or an inappropriate use of another performer's platform to deliver political content to an unprepared audience.

What’s next: The IAC petition is directed at Sheeran, MetLife Stadium leadership, and Live Nation.

• Sheeran's team has not said whether Macklemore's political content was pre-approved.
• Did Sheeran's management approve Macklemore's speech and visuals before the show?
• Will Sheeran respond publicly or take any action before the next tour date?