Robert Kraft says he and Ed Sheeran have both donated $2m to Palestinian relief groups amid Macklemore backlash

Billionaire sports executive Robert Kraft and musician Ed Sheeran have each pledged $2 million toward humanitarian relief for Palestinians, following a public challenge from rapper Macklemore.

The financial commitments arrive in the wake of a controversy that began earlier in the month when Macklemore delivered a political speech and chanted “Free Palestine” on stage during a concert at MetLife Stadium, later leading to his removal from Sheeran’s Loop Tour. The rapper asserted that Kraft had influenced other venue proprietors to block him from performing.

Earlier on Wednesday, Macklemore announced via social media that he would distribute $1 million in net earnings generated from his appearances on Sheeran’s tour to organizations aiding Palestinians, while challenging Kraft to match the sum.

“With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom,” Macklemore wrote on Instagram. “I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people. And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation.

“Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”

In response, Kraft issued a statement published to the official Gillette Stadium X account, outlining that Sheeran had contacted him prior to the rapper’s public challenge.

“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft wrote. “I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.

“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

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All other supporting acts on Sheeran’s tour quit after Macklemore was dropped. Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, American singer Finneas and Irish folk band Beoga made their announcements roughly within an hour of each other Tuesday, as reported by the Associated Press.

Earlier the same day, Sheeran had posted his own statement explaining Macklemore’s departure.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote in an Instagram post. “Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”

In another slide of the post, he added: “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”