“You really should be focusing on Robert Kraft”: Aaron Rowe defends Ed Sheeran amid Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ controversy

Macklemore and Robert Kraft : Source - Getty
Macklemore and Robert Kraft : Source - Getty

On September 18, Aaron Rowe shared a new video on his social media showing support for Ed Sheeran amid Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ row. The Irish musician, who recently pulled out of Ed Sheeran’s tour, said that people should focus on the American billionaire Robert Kraft and not the English singer amid the controversy.

In his video, Aaron Rowe said:

“All I keep hearing is Ed Sheeran this, Ed Sheeran that — when you really should be focusing on the likes of [New England Patriots owner] Robert Kraft. You really should be focusing on the Zionist lobbies that are trying to silence the voices of people who are shouting about genocide, the genocide that is happening in Palestine right now by Israel.”

For those unversed, Macklemore recently caught himself up in a controversy after he chanted ‘Free Palestine’ and showed support for people in Gaza and the West Bank during his opening acts of Ed Sheeran’s concerts in New Jersey. Soon after his performance, the rapper faced backlash, following which he was removed from the remaining shows of Ed’s tour.


Aaron Rowe left Ed Sheeran’s tour to support Macklemore amid ‘Free Palestine’ controversy

Earlier on September 15, Aaron Rowe pulled out of Sheeran’s Loop Tour as one of his supporting acts. He did this in support of Macklemore and Palestine. Aaron released a statement on his IG handle, which read:

“I have made the decision to withdraw as a support act for Ed Sheeran's 'The Loop' North American Tour. I don't take the decision lightly. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life; I could never thank him enough for this.”

He further targeted Robert Kraft in his message, saying that he can’t let billionaires silence their voice as artists. Rowe wrote:

“But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.”

Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium, was in favor of the Thrift Shop rapper’s removal from the tour, and he even referred to his political remarks as ‘hate speech.’

Around the same time, all the other supporting acts of Ed’s tour announced their exit as the special guests in solidarity with Macklemore. The other guests were Finneas, Beoga, and Lukas Graham.

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Edited by Shatakshi Gupta