Ed Sheeran personally asked billionaire Robert Kraft to pledge $2 million towards Palestinian relief efforts, according to a statement released by the businessman amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from the singer's tour.
Robert, the owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, announced the commitment on Wednesday, 16 September. He said Ed had called him earlier that day and asked him to match his own donation.
The announcement followed Macklemore's pledge to donate $1 million in earnings from Ed's Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians. The rapper had also publicly challenged Robert to match his contribution.
Robert said his conversation with Ed had taken place before Macklemore issued that invitation. "Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis," he wrote. "Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges."
© InstagramRobert Kraft's Palestinian relief pledge
The 85-year-old businessman said he believed that "all lives are worth protecting" and described his previous support for projects involving Palestinians and Israelis.
"I'd like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships," he wrote.
His statement did not identify the organisations that would receive the $2 million pledge. The announcement came during a difficult week for Ed, whose tour lost several supporting musicians following Macklemore's departure.
Why Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's tour
Macklemore said he had been removed from the Loop Tour after speaking in support of Palestine onstage. In an earlier Instagram statement, the rapper claimed Ed had told him that Robert would not allow him to perform at Gillette Stadium later this month. He also alleged that Ed had described the words "Free Palestine" and the Palestinian flag as hurtful to people he had spoken with.
Robert subsequently confirmed that he had objected to Macklemore's participation in the stadium shows. In a statement to NBC News, he cited the rapper's recent performances and what he characterised as a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Ed and Macklemore offered different accounts of who made the decision to remove the rapper from the wider tour. Macklemore initially wrote that "Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour". Ed later said the decision had been made by the promoter.
© AFP via Getty ImagesEd Sheeran's response to the controversy
Addressing the backlash on Tuesday, Ed said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine" and had tried to resolve the disagreement, including through conversations with Robert.
"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," he wrote. "Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me."
He also explained why he intended to continue performing. "I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living."
Macklemore, meanwhile, described the personal difficulty of disagreeing with someone he regarded as a close friend. "I consider him a brother," he wrote of Ed. "And because of that, we've had some difficult conversations this past week. The type of talks rooted in love and respect for one another that still end in a place of fundamental disagreement."
© Variety via Getty ImagesFinneas and other musicians withdraw from Ed Sheeran's tour
On Tuesday, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe announced their withdrawal from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Ed's backing band, Beoga, also pulled out. "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed," Finneas wrote on Instagram, adding: "I stand with Palestine and its people."
Danish band Lukas Graham also spoke about artists' freedom to address the conflict. "We should be able to speak out about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up," they wrote.
"Money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody's bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we're allowed to acknowledge."
© Getty Images for Project HealthyMacklemore's $1 million donation
In his Wednesday announcement, Macklemore pledged his entire $1 million in net earnings from the tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians, including Medical Aid for Palestinians and HEAL Palestine.
He invited Robert to contribute, calling for their disagreement to give way to support for those affected.
"Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protection," he wrote. "A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any life on this earth."
