Kraft checks patron alternatives for aiding Palestinians
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Wednesday that Ed Sheeran has asked him to match a $2 million donation to humanitarian aid in the region. The request came after Macklemore publicly urged Kraft to donate, days after the rapper was removed from Sheeran’s tour for promoting “Free Palestine” messaging.
Kraft said in a statement that, before Macklemore challenged him to match a $1 million donation to humanitarian aid in Gaza, Sheeran had already made a $2 million contribution. The singer then asked Kraft to match that amount.
“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges,” Kraft said in his statement, posted to the social media accounts of Gillette Stadium.
Kraft added: “I’d like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts to create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs and forge relationships.”
As of Wednesday night, Sheeran had not confirmed his donation, and Kraft had not named the humanitarian organizations the money was directed to.
Macklemore wrote on Instagram on Wednesday that he would donate $1 million of his net earnings from The Loop Tour to six organizations providing aid to Palestinians. He invited Kraft to do the same.
Macklemore said on Monday that Sheeran “and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour,” which included a stop at Gillette later this month, after a phone call between Sheeran and Kraft.
Following Macklemore’s removal, several artists pulled out of the tour. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga and Aaron Rowe all departed, leaving the tour without supporting acts.
Children’s YouTuber Ms. Rachel, another pro-Palestinian activist, accused Sheeran of performing in support of Ukraine while considering Palestine “too dangerous and political” to back.
Kraft has donated to Jewish and Israeli causes and in 2019 formed the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. That organization became the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate in 2025.
In 2019, Kraft received the $1 million Genesis Prize, an annual award known as the “Jewish Nobel Prize,” for his support for Israel.
