Macklemore’s US$1 million pledge brings relief, attention to Palestinians’ suffering

‘There are children dying every single day’: non-profit leaders have welcomed both money and renewed public awareness

For the Palestinian relief non-profit behind a US$1 million pledge from rapper Macklemore, the Grammy winner’s latest contributions offer more than just money.

Macklemore committed to donate his net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after he was dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments on stage at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

The goal, he wrote in a Wednesday post on social media, was to “bring the conversation back to where it belongs” – the Palestinian people – after a 48-hour period that saw four supporting acts quit in solidarity and confusion over who held responsibility for the decision.

The six donation recipients included Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.