Although he acknowledges that he is no 'expert on this conflict,' the 'Thrift Shop' rapper emphasizes that there is 'no side to take when it comes to our collective human spirit.'
- Oct 22, 2023
AceShowbiz - Macklemore is one of the celebrities to weigh in on the Israel-Palestine war. In a lengthy statement, the "Thrift Shop" hitmaker declared that he stands for a "Free Palestine" while he also condemned Hamas' attack on Israel.
"I have been in fear. I have felt a literal lump in my throat and I cannot stay silent any longer. I condemn the murder of any human," the 40-year-old began his post shared on Instagram. "My heart deeply hurts for the Israelis that lost loved ones to such an abomination. As a father I cannot imagine if one of my kids was at that festival [the Supernova music festival, attacked by Hamas], or was still missing after being kidnapped. It is absolutely unfathomable."
Macklemore went on to note, "Killing innocent humans in retaliation as collective punishment is not the answer. That is why I am supporting the people around the world who are calling for a ceasefire." He added, "I have been backstage at night before the shows, tears uncontrollably streaming down my face in absolute disbelief at how we as a country are supporting these murders with our weapons and financial backing."
"We are collectively praying for Israel before NFL football games, projecting Israeli flags onto our buildings and watching in-depth news stories on the catastrophic bombings in Israel," the emcee continued. "All are important ways of honoring the Israeli lives lost and those that are suffering because of it. But why are we not doing the same for Palestinians? How are one group of people's lives worth more than others?"
Although he acknowledged that he is no "expert on this conflict," Macklemore emphasized that there is "no side to take when it comes to our collective human spirit." He then stressed, "I stand with all humans. I stand for peace. I stand for love. I stand for freedom. And because of that, I stand for a Free Palestine and an end to the looming genocide of its people."
