Patriots' Robert Kraft responds to Macklemore, says no 'hate speech' at stadium - USA Today
After Grammy Award-winning rapper Macklemore revealed that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft influenced his removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian comments Macklemore made earlier this month − and ahead of Sheeran's two stops at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 25 and 26 − Kraft effectively confirmed the developments on Monday, Sept. 14.
“Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech. 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," Kraft said.
"This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real. But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike. I agree with Macklemore. Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate. Over many decades, I have directed resources to Palestine and created athletic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Palestinians who I admire and respect. Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive.
"Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed. I have tremendous respect for Ed and his music, particularly his unique ability to bring people together and spread joy, and I have always been proud to welcome him and his fans to Gillette Stadium.
"I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same – peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate.”
Kraft's religious background has become intertwined with the Patriots through the years. He has taken numerous players, former players and team staffers on trips to Israel, both to educate them on the region while also allowing them to serve as NFL and football ambassadors to the country.
"It was an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime kind of deal, and something I enjoyed," Super Bowl 53 MVP and former Patriots star Julian Edelman said in 2015. "It really put life in perspective, going there and seeing an unbelievable country and why it’s so special. It was kind of cool to have my official birthright trip with an unbelievable group of people that have already been to Israel to share that experience with me."
More recently, Kraft, Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel and others in the organization have been regularly seen wearing Blue Square pins in support of the "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" campaign and Blue Square Alliance, which combats antisemitism.
