Doylestown native Pink has faced a mix of positive and negative feedback after she weighed in on rapper Macklemore's recent support of Palestine.
Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks when he opened at Ed Sheeran's Sept. 4-5 concerts at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
His statements have since drawn reactions from fans, advocacy groups and fellow musicians, includingPink, who posted a response on an Instagram story. After she shared a post criticizing Macklemore's comments during his concert, she has drawn support from some fans and backlash from others. The rapper has since responded, defending his remarks and rejecting claims that support for Palestinians is anti-Jewish.
What did Macklemore say at Ed Sheeran's concert?
Macklemore used his opening set at Ed Sheeran's concerts to publicly
support Palestinians. During the speech, the rapper repeatedly called for a "Free Palestine," said he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know "we have not forgotten them" and praised Columbia University student protesters, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.
Macklemore also addressed Jewish listeners directly, saying criticism of Israel, apartheid and genocide "in no way is a criticism" of Jewish people. He described his message as one of "peace, love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality."
The speech concluded with another call for a "Free Palestine" before Macklemore performed his protest song "Hind's Hall." His remarks sparked criticism from some concertgoers and advocacy groups, while supporters praised him for using the platform to speak about the conflict. Ed Sheeran has not publicly commented on the controversy.
Pink calls out Macklemore: What did Pink say about Macklemore?
Pink did not release a lengthy statement about Macklemore but shared an Instagram story criticizing Macklemore's remarks and performance during Ed Sheeran's concerts. The post she shared called the appearance "awful" and argued concertgoers were owed apologies and refunds.
Why are some people calling Macklemore antisemitic?
Some critics have accused Macklemore of promoting antisemitic ideas through his rhetoric and activism related to Israel and Palestine. Macklemore has rejected that characterization and has repeatedly said criticism of Israel is not criticism of Jewish people.
One of the most widely shared reactions came from a concertgoer who attended Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium shows and later posted an open letter to Sheeran on X. The post, which surpassed 4.4 million views, said the author's concerns grew after researching Macklemore's past comments and accused the rapper of using antisemitic tropes. Other critics have made similar arguments in response to Macklemore's activism and performances.
Is Pink pro Israel or a Zionist?
Pink has not publicly described herself as pro-Israel or as a Zionist in connection with the Macklemore controversy.
However, the singer has publicly discussed her Jewish identity in the past. In a 2017 Instagram post, Pink described herself as "a Jewish woman" while writing about antisemitism and the aftermath of the Charlottesville rally.
More recently, Pink shared criticism of Macklemore's remarks during Ed Sheeran's concerts, prompting some social media users to debate her views on Israel and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Pink has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the repost.
How did Macklemore respond?
Macklemore defended his remarks after the controversy spread beyond the concerts. On Instagram, the rapper posted a video of the speech during his MetLife Stadium performance.
"Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial," the rapper wrote while sharing the video. Macklemore also reiterated that support for Palestinians should not be viewed as criticism of Jewish people.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network's Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pink Instagram post explained and what she said about Macklemore
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
