Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledges millions to Middle East relief amid Macklemore fallout

Kraft maintains that Sheeran had already contacted him earlier that same day, requesting he equal the singer’s own $2 million commitment to addressing the crisis in the region.

Together, the three pledges from Macklemore, Sheeran and Kraft amount to a reported $5 million — though significant questions remain about where much of that money will ultimately be directed.

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The dispute traces back to Macklemore’s removal as the opening act on Sheeran’s Loop Tour at Gillette Stadium, the Kraft-owned venue near Boston.

Kraft confirmed earlier this week that he had personally intervened to prevent the rapper from performing at his ground, citing what he described as hate speech.

The decision followed Macklemore’s anti-Israel chants and performance of his protest song “Hind’s Hall” during a concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

In response, Macklemore announced on Wednesday that he would donate the entirety of his $1 million net earnings from the Loop Tour to six Palestinian aid organisations: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera.

He directly appealed to Kraft, writing: “Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting.”

Kraft’s statement, released through Gillette Stadium’s social media channels, sought to establish that Sheeran’s request preceded any public pressure from the rapper.

“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,” Kraft said.

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He added: “Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

The Patriots owner framed the commitment as consistent with his broader philosophy, stating: “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.”

Sheeran himself has not yet made any public statement regarding his reported $2 million commitment.

Crucially, neither Kraft nor Sheeran have identified which organisations will receive their respective donations, nor whether the funds will be directed specifically towards Palestinian aid.

This stands in marked contrast to Macklemore, who named all six recipient groups explicitly.

Kraft also offered no detail on where precisely in the region his money would go.

In his statement, the billionaire sought to underscore what he characterised as a longstanding personal commitment to the Palestinian cause.

“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,” Kraft said.

The vagueness surrounding both Kraft’s and Sheeran’s pledges has nonetheless left open the question of whether the funds will reach Palestinian communities at all.

The fallout from Macklemore’s removal has rippled well beyond the initial dispute, with several acts pulling out of Sheeran’s remaining American dates in solidarity.

FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Irish folk group Beoga have all withdrawn from upcoming Loop Tour performances.

Sheeran has maintained that the decision to drop Macklemore was taken by promoters and venue owners rather than by him personally, stating that he attempted to mediate before the venues refused to host the rapper.

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The Suffolk-born singer has said he would not be drawn into a public debate over Gaza.

Kraft, meanwhile, has defended his stance by accusing Macklemore of a pattern of antisemitic rhetoric and of ignoring the 7 October Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people.