Pink Defends Jewish Identity Amid Backlash Over Macklemore Concert Controversy
Singer Pink has broken her silence regarding the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore's performance at an Ed Sheeran concert, explaining her stance to her 12 million followers. Pink, 47, stated she had remained quiet for a week, which is uncharacteristic for her. The controversy ignited when Pink shared a post from the Jewish advocacy group StopAntisemitism criticizing Macklemore's opening act at MetLife Stadium. During his performance, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh, performed his song 'Hind's Hall,' and called for 'Free Palestine' before an audience of over 80,000, with visuals from the Gaza war displayed behind him.
Pink clarified that she never sought to silence other artists and that sharing a post is not a definitive statement. She acknowledged that social media can lead to superficiality. Born Alicia Beth Moore, Pink emphasized her Jewish heritage, stating, 'I was born Jewish. I did not choose it, and I have never hidden it.' While asserting she does not speak for Israel or any government, she declared, 'Hamas is a terrorist organization. Palestinians deserve a future that respects their humanity and aspirations. Protecting innocent lives comes first, everywhere, and no one should celebrate the death of a child. Any child.'
Pink also revealed that her reaction was partly due to a 2014 incident where Macklemore appeared with a large prosthetic nose, black wig, and beard, which she described as a classic antisemitic caricature. Although Macklemore claimed it was a random costume and later apologized, Pink stated that every Jewish person she knew recognized it as antisemitic. She felt Macklemore's recent performance, with violent war imagery displayed and a message to Jewish attendees that the protest was not about them, was particularly egregious.
Pink addressed the harsh backlash she received, including the phrases 'from the river to the sea' and 'Zionist' being used as insults. She stated she does not believe most commenters hate Jews but rather that they have been presented with a narrative where a Jew refusing to apologize for their existence is the villain. She reiterated her lifelong commitment to social justice, including criticism of the US government and support for LGBTQ+ children, concluding, 'I have stood with other people's people my entire career. Now I am standing with my people. I thought I knew how lonely this would be, it is lonelier than I ever imagined. But still, I do this.'
Gal Gadot responded in support, writing, 'I understand you so much… You are not alone. Happy New Year full of love and light.' Macklemore, meanwhile, has not apologized, instead re-sharing his speech and asserting that criticism of Israel or opposition to what he calls genocide is not criticism of Jewish people. He later stated during another performance, 'To all my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, and opposition to genocide are in no way criticism of you.' The Israeli-American Council (IAC) has launched a petition urging Ed Sheeran and Live Nation to remove Macklemore from the tour, questioning the appropriateness of using a global platform for a one-sided agenda.
