British politicians defend Macklemore and reject push to ban him from UK

British politicians have urged the government to resist pressure to ban US rapper Macklemore from the country, in comments to Middle East Eye. The American rapper is set to perform in Wembley in London on Thursday in a concert to raise money for Palestine, but over the weekend a group of 50 peers signed a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging her to revoke Macklemore's electronic travel authorisation. Now politicians have told MEE the home secretary should ignore the calls and allow Macklemore into the country. Mothin Ali, the deputy leader of the Green Party, said: "As a country we value freedom of speech as one of our highest held freedoms. "The campaign to stop a musician from playing in the UK is worryingly authoritarian, especially on the back of Sally Rooney having to withdraw her books from the UK." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Ali told MEE: "Macklemore has taken a principled stance in speaking out against the atrocities committed in Palestine. He should be celebrated not demonised." Independent MP Zarah Sultana said: "Full solidarity with Macklemore, who has consistently used his platform to speak up for Palestine and oppose Israel's brutal genocide." All supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran tour in protest of Macklemore’s removal Read More » Sultana added: "While fifty unelected peers demand this ban, millions of people across Britain stand in solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian people. "This is a disgraceful attack on freedom of expression, which sends a chilling message to every artist who dares to speak out: stay silent or face the consequences. "Macklemore should be welcomed to Britain and free to perform. The home secretary must reject these demands and make clear that solidarity with Palestine is no grounds for exclusion." The rapper - whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty - made international headlines last month after British pop singer Ed Sheeran dropped him from his US tour, allegedly over pro-Palestinian comments Macklemore made on stage. Macklemore performed his song Hind's Hall, which condemns Israel's genocide in Gaza, and was filmed declaring "Free Palestine" on stage and addressing Jewish fans, saying: "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you." The artist then announced a "Free Palestine" tour, which started on Monday with a show in Dublin in Ireland. Macklemore is set to perform in Paris later this week before going to London. 'Art has always been political' "I firmly oppose calls to ban Macklemore from entering the UK," independent MP Adnan Hussain told MEE. "An artist’s right to freedom of expression, to create, perform and showcase their art must be defended, not suppressed simply because their message makes those in power uncomfortable. "Art has always been political, and particularly in moments of profound human suffering, it has a vital role to play." Hussain added that Macklemore's "support for Palestine and his willingness to confront the reality of what is happening in Gaza deserve recognition, not punishment. "The proceeds from his concert supporting organisations providing vital humanitarian and medical assistance to Palestinians make this all the more meaningful." 'Art has always been political, and particularly in moments of profound human suffering, it has a vital role to play' - Adnan Hussain MP Macklemore's tour is raising money for numerous organisations including Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), the US arm of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa), the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) and the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM). The British peers calling for Macklemore to be banned claimed his presence in the country would not be "conducive to the public good" because of views expressed by the PYM, which has said that "when people are occupied, resistance is justified". The peers accused the PYM's position of "glorifying terrorism", which the group has strenuously denied. The peers' letter was organised by Lord Walney, an ex-chair of Labour Friends of Israel who was a prominent advocate for the banning of direct action group Palestine Action. Labour MP Kim Johnson told MEE: "This provides yet more evidence of whose interests some peers serve. "An unelected House of Lords and the suppression of free speech is a dangerous combination. "To claim Macklemore’s presence here to perform at a charity gig is 'not conducive to the public good' is an outrageous attempt to shut down and silence legitimate criticism of Israel." UK 'must not stand in the way of music' The peers' letter described a PYM campaign in 2025 to pressure Labour politicians over Palestine as an "attempt to coerce members of parliament through fear", a characterisation which the PYM has denied. Independent MP Ayoub Khan told MEE: "I stand firmly with Macklemore. These attempts to shut down a charity event – raising funds for victims of a genocide – expose the lengths some will go to silence activism and distract from the expulsion, oppression and murder of the Palestinian people." Sally Rooney's books to be withdrawn from sale in UK over Palestine Action support Read More » Khan added that concern should be redirected toward UK charities sending money to illegal settlements in occupied Palestine, rather than humanitarian support for Palestinians under siege: "If these peers are genuinely concerned about unethical fundraising that glorifies terrorism, let’s channel our efforts where they’re actually needed. British charities are funnelling millions into illegal Israeli settlements as we speak: I don’t see any of the 50 Peers raising concerns about that. "The genocide, apartheid, and mass displacement of an entire people are far more offensive than Macklemore’s Free Palestine tour could ever be." Shockat Adam, another independent MP, told MEE: "Unelected Lords should spend less time pontificating about an American musician playing a sold-out charity concert at Wembley in support of the plight of victims of genocide, and more time holding Israel to account for breaking international humanitarian law. "The home secretary must not stand in the way of music uniting the world nor the millions raised in donations to the cause of freeing Palestine." The campaign against Macklemore comes shortly after another row over free speech in the UK when bestselling author Sally Rooney's books were withdrawn from the UK market because she said she would use proceeds from her book sales to support Palestine Action. Keir Starmer's Labour government proscribed Palestine Action in July 2025, meaning that expressing support for or membership of the group - which aimed to cause property damage to companies manufacturing weapons that would be sold to Israel - is a criminal offence that could lead to a prison sentence of up to 14 years. Earlier this year the British government caused controversy by banning American political commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur from entering the country, reportedly over their criticisms of Israel.