Robert Kraft Drew a Line in a Week. Josh Shapiro Has Had a Year.
Earlier this month, Macklemore walked onto the stage at MetLife Stadium in a keffiyeh, told 80,000 people to say “Free Palestine,” accused Israel of apartheid and genocide, and performed “Hind’s Hall” while images from Gaza played on the screens behind him. Within roughly a week he was off Ed Sheeran’s tour. Robert Kraft confirmed that Macklemore had been barred from Gillette Stadium, pointing to those performances and to a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. The rapper has since claimed that stadium owners gave Sheeran an ultimatum.
TL;DR
- Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's tour within a week of performing a pro-Palestine song and accusing Israel of apartheid and genocide.
- Robert Kraft barred Macklemore from Gillette Stadium, citing his performances and history of controversial statements.
- The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, which uses the name of genocide expert Raphael Lemkin, has been criticized by his family for using the name to target Israel since October 7.
- The Lemkin family's request for the institute to stop using the name was refused, and the institute later labeled the family 'genocide deniers' while fundraising.
- Pennsylvania authorities opened an inquiry into the institute's name usage and charitable solicitation compliance after a year of filings by the Lemkin family and supporters.
- The family's request is solely for the return of their name, not to censor the institute's opinions.