Kraft Pledges $2 Million to Gaza Relief After Ed Sheeran’s Request, as Macklemore Fallout Grows

Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced Wednesday he will donate $2 million to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, saying the gift comes at the request of singer Ed Sheeran, who is currently touring stadiums including Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

Kraft, chief executive officer and chairman of the Kraft Group, said Sheeran asked him to match the singer’s own $2 million donation “to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.” Kraft said Sheeran “now plans to reach out to other venue owners.”

“Our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges,” Kraft said in his statement.

The announcement came the same day rapper Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, said online that he would donate $1 million of his earnings from Sheeran’s Loop tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians. Macklemore publicly invited Kraft to match that donation. Kraft said, however, that Sheeran’s request for the $2 million gift came before Macklemore’s challenge was made public.

“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft said, adding that he wanted supporters of Palestinians to know he has for decades backed efforts “that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs and forge relationships.”

Macklemore’s Removal From the Tour

The donations follow days of controversy over Macklemore’s exit from Sheeran’s Loop tour. On Monday, Macklemore said he had been dropped from the tour and that Sheeran told him Kraft would not allow him to perform at Gillette Stadium. According to Macklemore, Kraft and other stadium owners gave Sheeran an ultimatum: if Macklemore remained on the tour, Sheeran would not be permitted to play at those venues.

Macklemore said the ultimatum followed comments he made in support of Palestinians and a free Palestine while opening for Sheeran on Sept. 4 and 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

On Tuesday, Sheeran said it was the tour promoter’s decision to remove Macklemore, not his own.

Macklemore’s removal drew criticism of both Kraft and Sheeran, and all four remaining supporting acts on the tour announced they were withdrawing in response.

Sheeran is scheduled to perform Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia before two shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Sept. 25 and 26.