Jakarta. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Ed Sheeran had asked him to commit $2 million to match Macklemore’s donation and support humanitarian aid in the region, following the rapper’s public challenge amid a dispute over his removal from Sheeran’s US Loop Tour.

Robert said Ed had contacted him about the commitment and planned to reach out to other venue owners to encourage further contributions and cooperation.

“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting,” Robert said in a statement.

Robert also said he had supported efforts to create opportunities for Palestinians and bring Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs and establish relationships.

The statement followed Macklemore’s announcement that he would donate $1 million in net earnings from the Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians. The rapper had also challenged Robert Kraft to match his donation.

Kraft did not confirm whether he has agreed to make the $2 million donation and where the funds would go,

Macklemore says he was dropped from tour
Macklemore said he had been removed from Sheeran’s US Loop Tour after performing his pro-Palestinian song “Hind’s Hall” at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The rapper said he had been scheduled to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts later that month but was told he would not be allowed to appear there.

According to Macklemore, Sheeran told him that Kraft, whose company owns the stadium, would not allow him to perform there. Macklemore also said Kraft had made it a condition that he could not perform at the venue if he remained on the tour.

Macklemore said Sheeran was a longtime friend, adding that they had known each other for 13 years and had shared difficult conversations about the conflict.

He said the disagreement had not erased his respect for Sheeran and expressed hope that it would not end their friendship.

“I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed,” Macklemore wrote. “Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.”

Ed Sheeran addresses controversy in Philadelphia
Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy during a concert in Philadelphia, acknowledging criticism over the past week and saying he had faced difficult decisions.

“I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I am so, so sorry,” he said.

Ed said he had never intended to become an activist musician and wanted his concerts to focus on unity and humanity rather than politics.

He also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing it as “catastrophic and unjustifiable.”

“Our hearts have been broken by the scale and devastation and loss of civilian’s lives, of children’s lives,” he said.

Ed added that his concerts should remain welcoming spaces for people with differing views. He said he was speaking with people across the political spectrum to determine how he could help victims of the conflict.

Macklemore pledges $1 million for Palestinians
In his Instagram statement, Macklemore said he would donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from the Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support Palestinians.

“I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people,” he wrote.

Macklemore described Palestinians as the victims of the conflict, citing the deaths, starvation, displacement and violence affecting men, women and children.

“The victims are the Palestinian people. The men, women and children who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence,” he wrote.

He said he would continue to support Palestinians and their pursuit of freedom.

“I will continue to stand with the Palestinian people and their fight for liberation, Free Palestine,” he wrote.

Add as a preferred source on Google +