Macklemore faces renewed backlash over ‘Free Palestine’ remarks

Macklemore is again drawing criticism over his pro-Palestinian activism amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Seattle-born rapper, 43, joined as an opening act on the North American leg of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour on Sept. 4 and admitted he was "scared" to perform his song "Hind's Hall" at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

"The truth is, a big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I can stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine," Macklemore said in the introduction of the song, according to clips from his set posted on social media.

He added: "I want those words to be loud and clear so the people all the way in Gaza, to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten about them."

The 2024 track refers to the name protesters gave Columbia University's Hamilton Hall, where they barricaded themselves and called on the university to divest from companies with ties to Israel. Their name for the building honored Hind Rajab, a Palestinian girl who appeared to have been killed by Israeli…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/