Macklemore told a sold-out London crowd it was "more uncomfortable for me to stay silent than to say something" as he performed the latest leg of his Free Palestine tour, days after being removed from Ed Sheeran's tour over his statements in support of Palestine.
The 43-year-old rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, made the comments during an impassioned address about his backing for Palestine at the OVO Arena Wembley on Friday night. In footage from the concert, he told the audience he had reached a stage where he felt incapable of remaining quiet about the conflict.
Macklemore's address to the Wembley crowd
"I was scrolling, scrolling, scrolling and seeing the horrific, unimaginable catastrophe that was happening in front of our eyes," he said. "At a certain point, it was more uncomfortable for me to stay silent than to say something."
"I just want to say, I don't believe that saying something is brave. I don't believe that saying something is courageous. I believe that saying something is human."
"Those children in Gaza are our children. There is no separation," he added, drawing loud cheers from the audience and chants of "Free Palestine".
Supporters join Macklemore on stage
Macklemore was joined onstage by supporters who shared his views, including vocalist Paloma Faith, who discussed motherhood and the significance of every child's life. The 45-year-old said: "It's scary to be in the public eye and to come out and say and stand up at these things. But it's not as scary as what would happen if we didn't do it."
Faith, who welcomed her third child seven months ago, said she was apprehensive about politically aligning herself because she has "a family to support". She stated: "But I just thought: Why are my children more important than the children in Gaza, and Palestine, and Sudan, Yemen and Congo? They are not more important. It breaks my heart to think that anyone thinks their children are more important than somebody else's."
"Every child deserves to have their mother hold them in their arms and say 'it's going to be safe'. Right now, this world doesn't feel very safe for children."
Greta Thunberg's speech and tour details
Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg also featured at the gig, making a speech about what more needs to be done to support Palestinian people. "Do not for one second think that you have done enough by attending a benefit concert or by donating money, because the occupation will not end by philanthropy and slogans," she said. "We can change all the hearts and minds in the world, but that has to be paired with actual policy change in a way that actually challenges our extremely violent status quo."
Macklemore launched his Free Palestine tour in Dublin earlier this week, where he was joined by Hozier and Kneecap, before performing in Paris on Thursday alongside Aurora and DJ Habibeats. The Grammy-winning artist previously revealed the concerts "sold out immediately" after going on sale last month. The gigs were announced after Macklemore was axed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour following remarks he made about Gaza.
The performances aim to unite artists and friends to help provide humanitarian aid and support for people in Palestine. All proceeds from the gigs will go towards organisations working in support of Palestinian people, providing medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, community support and advocacy. Those organisations include Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, Heal Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Middle East Children's Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children's Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.
