The spotlight is on Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian remarks the rapper made onstage earlier this month at the New Jersey arena. In a lengthy Instagram statement, Macklemore pointed to Kraft, a vocal pro-Israel advocate who also owns the New England Patriots, as the driving force behind his exit. Kraft said in a statement to ESPN on Monday that, "Based on Macklemore's recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line." During the show, Macklemore said "Free Palestine" and showed images from Gaza while playing his 2024 protest song, "Hind's Hall," about pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied a building at Columbia University.
Newsweek reached out to a spokesperson for the Patriots by email Wednesday for additional comment from Kraft. Kraft has long been one of the most prominent pro-Israel voices in American business and sports. Over several decades, he has publicly supported Israel through philanthropy, educational programs and advocacy initiatives.
Following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Kraft became increasingly outspoken against what he viewed as growing hostility toward Israel on college campuses and social media. Through the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, formerly the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), launched in 2019, Kraft has funded public-service campaigns and initiatives to address antisemitic rhetoric and hate speech. Kraft has also frequently visited Israel and maintained close relationships with Israeli leaders and organizations.
While he has advocated for Israel's right to defend itself, he has also expressed concern about civilian suffering during periods of conflict. Kraft was born into a Modern Orthodox Jewish family in Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1941. He has frequently spoken about how his Jewish faith shaped his values, philanthropy and business career.
Throughout his life, Kraft has remained active in Jewish charitable causes and educational institutions both in the United States and abroad, according to Unpacked, a digital media brand created by OpenDor, a nonprofit that focuses on Israel, Judaism and the Jewish experience. His family has supported a wide range of Jewish organizations, museums, schools and cultural programs. Kraft often cites his religious upbringing as a major influence on his commitment to community service and charitable giving.
Al Jazeera reports that Kraft has supported projects in Israel and has been recognized for his long-standing philanthropy tied to Jewish and Israeli organizations. His advocacy for Israel helped him receive the 2019 Genesis Prize, sometimes referred to as the "Jewish Nobel Prize." Kraft has also funded efforts to combat antisemitism through the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, which he launched in 2019 with an initial $20 million investment, according to the organization's website. The foundation focuses on public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives addressing antisemitism in the United States.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
