‘Those children in Gaza are our children’: Macklemore finishes Free Palestine tour with sold-out London performance

Bringing together some of the biggest names in music and activism, Macklemore finished his three-date Free Palestine tour with a sold-out London performance, mobilising people and garnering support around Palestine. The US rapper’s final performance took place at OVO Arena Wembley on Friday, 30 October and featured a host of popular artists, including Paloma Faith and Nemahsis alongside climate activist Greta Thunberg and Palestinian campaigner Arab Barghouti, son of detained Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti. The concerts in Dublin, Paris and London all sold out soon after tickets went on sale, according to reports and Macklemore’s own announcement. The tour was organised after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining shows on Ed Sheeran’s US Loop tour in September after he called for a "Free Palestine" during his show in New Jersey. Macklemore told the audience that remaining silent about the war on Gaza had become more uncomfortable than speaking out. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters “I was scrolling, scrolling, scrolling and seeing the horrific, unimaginable catastrophe that was happening in front of our eyes,” he said. Macklemore calls for a ‘free Palestine’ during Ed Sheeran shows Read More » “And at a certain point, it was more uncomfortable for me to stay silent than to say something. “I don't believe that saying something is brave. I don't believe that saying something is courageous." He went on to question the borders and divisions that separate people, asking: “What are we doing as a global community to tear them down?” The rapper was greeted by cheers and chants of “Free Palestine” before performing “Hind’s Hall”, his protest track released in response to the war on Gaza. His set also included hits such as “Thrift Shop”, “Same Love”, “Glorious” and “Can’t Hold Us”. The three concerts were organised as benefit events, with all funds going to 12 Palestinian supporting organisations, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, Jewish Voice for Peace, Palestinian Youth Movement, Institute for Middle East Understanding and Glia. 'You cannot imprison hope' One of the most prominent moments of the London concert came when Arab Barghouti addressed the crowd about his father’s imprisonment. “Israel imprisoned my father 24 years ago so that his people and the world would forget about him,” he said. “But what the oppressors don't understand, you cannot imprison hope.” Macklemore speaks to MEE at the screening of 'The Encampments' Read More » Veteran Palestinian political figure Marwan Barghouti has been imprisoned by Israel for more than two decades. Greta Thunberg, who opened the London event, said that a benefit concert or charitable donations are not sufficient action. “The occupation will not end by philanthropy and slogans,” she said, calling for solidarity to be accompanied by political change. Paloma Faith spoke about the dangers of speaking in support of Palestinians and how it is unnerving to take a stance on this issue and be in the limelight. “But it’s not as scary as what would happen if we didn’t do it,” she told the audience. Faith questioned why her own children should be considered more important than children in Gaza, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Every child deserves to have their mother hold them in their arms and say ‘it’s going to be safe’,” she said. “Right now, this world doesn’t feel very safe for children.” Palestinian-Canadian singer Nemahsis, whose real name is Nemah Hasan, also performed. “My existence is the strongest form of resistance,” she told the crowd, according to NME. The London line-up included further appearances from Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos and Antoine Raffoul, a Palestinian displaced during the 1948 Nakba. Actor Javier Bardem also sent a message to the event. Three cities, one cause The tour opened at Dublin’s 3Arena on 26 October, where Macklemore was joined by Irish singer Hozier, Belfast rap group Kneecap and folk band Beoga. Beoga had withdrawn from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore. The Dublin concert brought together a broad line-up of performers and speakers, including Palestinian singer Lina Makoul, Liam Cunningham and Dead Prez. Hozier used the platform to call attention to 55 students from Gaza who are waiting for visa approval to study in Ireland. Pro-Israel billionaire Robert Kraft led campaign to drop Macklemore from Ed Sheeran tour Read More » Macklemore told the Dublin audience that the phrase “Free Palestine” was “not against anybody, not divisive” and was “not a call for hatred”, but a call to recognise shared humanity. The second concert took place at Paris’s Accor Arena on 29 October. Aurora, Pomme, Portugal. The Man, DJ Habibeatz, Redveil, Siba, Tamer Nafar, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and Zeyne were among the performers. Macklemore told the Paris audience: “Tonight we came here for collective liberation. We came here for a free Palestine. We came here to celebrate life and dignity for all human beings that call this earth home.” The shows also brought together campaigners, Palestinian voices and cultural figures who used the stage to call for an end to the occupation and greater political pressure. For Macklemore, the tour was both a fundraising effort and a response to the controversy that followed his removal from Sheeran’s tour. “I believe that saying something is human,” he told the crowd at Wembley. “And those children in Gaza are our children. There is no separation.”