Kathy Griffin Criticizes Ed Sheeran for Not Supporting Macklemore

<p>Comedian Kathy Griffin stated on Wednesday that singer Ed Sheeran should have told Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft to "go f--- yourself" after Kraft barred Macklemore from performing as his opening act due to Macklemore's support for Palestine.</p><p>In an interview with Queerty, Griffin discussed Macklemore's removal from the remainder of Sheeran's tour earlier this month after he advocated for a "Free Palestine" during his performances and included his song "Hind's Hall," which is critical of Israel. This decision followed Kraft's prohibition of Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium.</p><p>Sheeran has indicated that the decision was ultimately made by the concert promoter and venues rather than himself. However, Griffin argued that Sheeran could have defended Macklemore.</p><p>"I wish that Ed Sheeran had not taken the advice of the ones who told him to fire Macklemore," Griffin said. "Let’s not be listening to f------ Robert Kraft. When Robert Kraft says I’ve called all the other stadium owners and they’re not gonna let you do the show with Macklemore either, Ed Sheeran should’ve said go f--- yourself, I can go to Brazil and perform for 250,000 people. He had more options."</p><p>Griffin expressed her belief that Macklemore's comments were protected under the First Amendment and shared her own support for a "Free Palestine."</p><p>"I don't think 'Free Palestine' is such a controversial thing to say because that's a genuine genocide that is happening there, in my opinion. I don't want Israel to be eradicated. I love the Israeli people as I hope the rest of the world likes the American people but hates [President Donald] Trump and his cabinet and our current SCOTUS. So I can't stand [Israeli Prime Minister] Bibi Netanyahu. I think he's ruined the Knesset which is their Congress. But I certainly don't have a beef with the Jewish people or the Palestinian people. They're both trying to survive. I personally think that Palestine should be its own country," Griffin said.</p><p>In response to being removed from Sheeran's tour, Macklemore announced that he would be launching his own "Free Palestine Tour," with three shows scheduled in Dublin on Oct. 26, Paris on Oct. 29, and London on Oct. 30.</p><p>Macklemore has received support from progressive figures for his political stance but has also faced criticism from pro-Israel organizations who accused him of promoting antisemitism.</p><p>The Israeli-American Council (IAC) released a statement supporting Kraft's actions, stating, "The Israeli-American Council (IAC) applauds Robert Kraft and his fellow stadium owners for their moral leadership in expelling rapper Macklemore from the concert stage rather than allow him to promote antisemitism." The statement continued, "Robert Kraft's moral leadership establishes what should be an obvious principle: a performer who traffics in antisemitism should not be given a stage. As a result, Macklemore will no longer be allowed to subject audiences to his hateful rants. The IAC salutes and thanks Mr. Kraft for setting an example for all to follow."</p>