Patriots owner Robert Kraft has released a statement addressing his decision to block Macklemore from performing with Ed Sheeran at Gillette Stadium and reportedly reach out to other stadium owners to do the same, a move that ultimately led Sheeran to drop Macklemore from his tour. In a statement, Kraft said that, “Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech. Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line.”
Kraft’s decision comes after Macklemore expressed his support for a free Palestine while opening for Ed Sheeran during a pair of concerts at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, earlier this month. The rapper told the crowd: “One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine.’ I said, ‘Free Palestine!’ I want those words to be loud and clear so that people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.”
Response to Criticism
Kraft said his decision to prevent Macklemore from taking the stage at Gillette Stadium “is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real. But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
Kraft added, “Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed. I have tremendous respect for Ed Sheeran and his music, particularly his unique ability to bring people together and spread joy, and I have always been proud to welcome him and his fans to Gillette Stadium.”
A Call for Peace
Kraft closed his statement by saying he would “welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same – peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate.” He also emphasized that standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism, and hate should not be mutually exclusive, and that he has directed resources to Palestine and created athletic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Palestinians in the past.
With this statement, Kraft has made it clear that he will not tolerate hate speech or antisemitic rhetoric at Gillette Stadium, and that he values the well-being and safety of all guests. The decision to block Macklemore from performing has sparked a larger conversation about the importance of respecting all communities and promoting peace and understanding. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Macklemore and Ed Sheeran will respond to Kraft’s statement and the overall impact on their tour.
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