Kraft, Sheeran pledged USD 2 mn each to fight 'humanitarian crisis'

Pic: AP

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has announced that he and Ed Sheeran have each pledged to donate USD 2 million towards efforts to fight 'humanitarian crisis' in the region following Macklemore’s announcement that he would donate his USD 1 million earnings from the Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians.Kraft, in an official statement posted on the Gillette Stadium social media account, revealed that much before the rapper could challenge him to match his USD 1 million donation, Sheeran had already contacted him earlier in the day and asked him to commit USD 2 million towards humanitarian relief.

Robert Kraft issues statement

"I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting," Kraft began.

He went on to state, "Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit USD 2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis."

He further went on to reveal Sheeran's efforts behind the scenes to help relief efforts. He shared, "Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges."

Macklemore announces USD 1 million donation

The announcement came just hours after Macklemore, in a lengthy statement on Instagram, said he would donate the entirety of his net earnings from the Loop Tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians.He wrote in a statement, "I will be donating the entire USD 1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organisations working directly to support the Palestinian people. And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation.

Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth."Sharing his thoughts about offering monetary aid to the people of Gaza, he said, "Writing a cheque is one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to me. I am doing it because I can, and because these organizations are doing the work while much of the world debates it."Calling for political change, he said, "But aid alone cannot address the conditions that make it necessary. This is a manmade injustice and I believe it requires immediate political change. Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should have to wait another say to be free. That is where my focus will remain. I will continue to stand with the Palestinian people and their fight for liberation."

About the Macklemore controversy

The announcement comes days after Macklemore claimed he was dropped from Sheeran’s current tour following his 'Free Palestine' comment at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in early September.He subsequently claimed that billionaire and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had played a role in his removal from the tour. According to the rapper, Kraft had rallied other stadium owners against allowing him to perform at their venues.Following the announcement, all of Sheeran's opening acts, including the Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Finneas, the American singer and close collaborator with sister Billie Eilish, Beoga, an Irish folk band, all quit the show. They announced their departure from the gig in social media posts.