Robert Kraft, billionaire and owner of the New England Patriots announced that he would not allow Macklemore to perform at Gillette Stadium. This decision came just days after the rapper faced criticism from pro-Israel groups for saying “Free Palestine” at a concert in New Jersey.
Many have criticized Kraft’s decision, including U.S. House Representative, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez saying, “When you see what Robert Kraft did to line up all of the stadiums to censor speech in that one specific way, it’s become clear that this is not just about one music artist or two music artists, but this is about how just a handful of stadium owners and the elite can prevent an entire massive issue, in this case, the genocide in Gaza.”
After a growing backlash by many fans, Ed Sheeran, who headlines the performance, invited Kraft to match a $2 million donation for aid in the region to help address the humanitarian crisis in the region. In a statement he posted on X, Kraft appeared to be interested in supporting a financial endeavor to help in some way, the potential mutual aid effort of the region. Given Kraft’s financial history of supporting and founding groups that attack Pro-Palestinian interests, the pledge appears to be an attempt to avoid bad publicity.
Kraft, a Jewish-American with a net worth of $15.2 billion, donated $1 million to Donald Trump’s inaugural committee, which was unusual for him as a lifelong Democrat. Kraft also launched the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism with $20 million, starting the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign. After October 7, he started the United Democracy Project, a new PAC that brought the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC into direct political giving. The UDP spent large amounts to oppose candidates, especially those who spoke out against U.S. funding for the Israeli military in its occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, and the ongoing genocide, even though a ceasefire is currently in place between Hamas and Israel.
This situation highlights a recurring tension in Kraft’s history of Jewish aid. For many years, he supported Israel, encouraged economic ties with Palestine, and promoted peace as shared goals for both sides. However, in recent years, he has focused more on opposing pro-Palestinian voices who call for a free Palestine, saying it is part of fighting antisemitism and building pro-Israel political influence.
Kraft’s financial donations often target well-known figures who support Palestinian sovereignty and oppose the Israeli occupation and ongoing genocide. The backlash was not only against Kraft, but also against Ed Sheeran, who distanced himself from his longtime friend Macklemore after he gave the “Free Palestine” statement. In response, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and the band Beoga all left Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity after Macklemore was removed from the lineup.
Anyone who is concerned about real antisemitism in the U.S. can see that mixing up antisemitic actions with pro-Palestinian speech actually weakens the fight against discrimination and hate.
If Kraft does donate $2 million to the region, the main question is where the money will end up. Most likely, given his recent track record, any funds will go to his own organizations that try to push a militaristic Israel that supports military aid and does not leave Israel accountable for its atrocities against the Palestinian people.
Macklemore continues to support Palestinian efforts through financial donations to Pro-Palestinian NGO’s and humanitarian aid. But it’s up to everyday working people, Jewish and non-Jewish to decide how to respond. Like AOC said, this story is bigger than just music artists. It shows how those in power can pressure people to stay quiet when a movement threatens their financial interests. The link between deprivation of the working-class at home and those in Palestine is that big capital like the kind Kraft represents needs both to be disconnected from each other. The wealthy use their resources carefully to hold back any progressive movement that fights for fair pay or challenges military interests that benefit billionaires at the expense of the Palestinian people.
The rich are exploiting the working class in our country by deceptive tactics to confuse the masses. The way to fight them is to show support for the progressive movements, similar to the musicians who dropped out of the live concert after “Free Palestine” Macklemore’s statement.