Macklemore has kicked off his Free Palestine tour by defending the comments that led to his removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour.
Speaking on stage at 3Arena Dublin on Monday, October 26, the rapper defended the “two words” he uttered which cost him his place on Sheeran's tour.
Defending the two words
“Six weeks ago, it was two words. Two words is all that it took. Two words that are rooted in love and liberation,” he said.
“Not against anybody, not divisive. Not a call for hatred. But a call to recognise our shared humanity. Free Palestine. I said, free Palestine!”
“The same thing that I want for all of us,” he added, as he wore the keffiyeh neck scarf in solidarity with Palestinians. “Freedom. Dignity and the right to exist without fear.”
Background and support acts
Last month, the Thrift Shop singer gave a two-minute speech at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey, where he told the crowd that he wanted the people of Gaza and “the occupied West Bank” to know “we have not forgotten about them”.
He then launched into a rendition of the song Hind's Hall, which condemns Israel's military campaign in Gaza, before concluding with a “Free Palestine” chant.
The US rapper was joined by Irish musicians Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga; Sheeran's backing band who pulled out of his shows amid the controversy which saw all the support acts drop out.
Messages and proceeds
Actor Mark Ruffalo sent a video message to the crowd, where he told them to “keep fighting for a free Palestine and humanity all over the world and amongst the people. There will be no peace until there's equality”.
Many of the crowd, who snapped up the 13,000 tickets for Dublin's 3Arena within minutes, were draped in Palestinian flags, black red and green clothing and keffiyeh scarves.
Following his departure from the North American leg of shows, Macklemore announced the Free Palestine tour. He said that he had been in contact with artists willing to show solidarity with Palestinians “regardless of the consequences”.
He said that all the proceeds from the shows would go to 12 organisations supporting Palestinians, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and Gaza Soup Kitchen.
His next show is on Thursday in Paris, and on Friday, he will head to London to perform at the OVO Arena Wembley.
