Gaza charities on Macklemore support: 'We are incredibly grateful'

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Macklemore is bringing his Free Palestine tour to a close at the OVO Arena Wembley on Friday evening. The 43-year-old announced the run of shows after being dropped as Ed Sheeran ’s support act in September due to comments he made about Gaza .

The US rapper called for a “Free Palestine” during two performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 4 and 5 September. All proceeds from the sold-out three-show tour will go to 12 organisations and charities which support the Palestinian movement. Gaza charities have said they are “incredibly grateful” for Macklemore’s support, ahead of the conclusion of the rapper’s tour in London on Friday. Shabby Amini, director of fundraising and marketing at Medical Aid for Palestinians, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Macklemore for his generous support and for using his platform to keep the experiences of Palestinians in the spotlight, especially at a time when many are choosing to stay silent.

“Macklemore’s support is a powerful reminder that Palestinians must not be forgotten when the headlines move on.” Ed Sheeran (L) and rapper Macklemore perform during the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 20, 2014 ( Getty ) A spokesman for aid organisation Anera, which supports displaced Palestinians, said: “Music has always had the power to bring people together, inspire action and unite us in the pursuit of something greater.

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. “Seeing thousands of people come together through song and love in solidarity with the people of Gaza moves us deeply.” The Seattle-based artist announced his tour 10 days after being dropped from Sheeran’s The Loop tour.

He has already played shows in Dublin and Paris. Macklemore claimed that Robert Kraft , the CEO of Kraft Group who owns Gillette Stadium, personally called Sheeran to say he would not be allowed to perform at the venue. Meanwhile, Sheeran said it was his promoter’s decision to remove the rapper from the tour and several other support acts pulled out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. The organisations being supported by Macklemore’s tour 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.