Macklemore's Antisemitism Accusations Resurface After Hamas Statement

Antisemitism accusations leveled against Macklemore almost a decade ago have resurfaced, following an impassioned social media post in which he spoke out against the treatment of Palestinians.

In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday, the musician said that while the "bombings, kidnappings and murder of the Israeli people carried out by Hamas was horrific in every way imaginable," he insisted that "killing innocent humans in retaliation as collective punishment is not the answer."

"We are witnessing an unfolding genocide in Palestine at this very moment," he continued. "A U.S. backed human catastrophe in front of our eyes. Gaza is being demolished. Well over 1 million people have lost their homes. Schools, hospitals, places of worship obliterated. Innocent kids are being murdered as I'm typing this."

"I stand with all humans. I stand for peace. I stand for love. I stand for freedom. And because of that, I stand for a Free Palestine and an end to the looming genocide of its people," he concluded his lengthy statement.

On October 7, Palestinian militant group Hamas led the deadliest attack on Israel in history, killing more than 1,200 people, according to figures from the Israeli military. Hamas said the attack was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation.

Israel subsequently launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes on Gaza, Operation Swords of Iron. Israel has also stopped the entry of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza, worsening the humanitarian conditions for the 2.3 million people who live in the territory.

On Tuesday night, there was an explosion at the al-Ahli Hospital in the north of Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry, led by Hamas, said some 500 people—many of them displaced under an Israeli evacuation order—were killed in the explosion.

Palestinian militants and officials said the cause was an Israeli airstrike, while Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed an errant rocket fired from Gaza by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.

At least 1,400 people in Israel and 4,137 Palestinians have been killed, according to figures from The Associated Press on Friday. An Israeli military spokesperson told the AP the families of 203 people thought to have been kidnapped by Hamas and taken into Gaza had been notified.

While Macklemore received widespread praise for his comments supporting a ceasefire in the region, one social media user responded by sharing photos of the rapper in a costume he wore in May 2014 that saw him battle allegations of antisemitism.

"Listen, I appreciate the sentiment, but of all people Macklemore should stfu [shut the f*** up] lol," they wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

In the pair of images, Macklemore, whose given name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, was shown onstage wearing a costume that included a black wig and beard and a prosthetic nose.

Images from the event show that Macklemore eventually removed his disguise as he treated attendees to a surprise performance.

Actor Seth Rogen was among those who drew attention to the costume, writing on X at the time: "@macklemore, first you trick people into thinking you're a rapper, now you trick them into thinking you're Jewish?"

Newsweek has contacted Macklemore via email for comment.

The rapper, who whose hit "Same Love" became an anthem for equality, wrote on his website that the character he portrayed onstage "had no intended cultural identity or background. I wasn't attempting to mimic any culture, nor resemble one. A 'Jewish stereotype' never crossed my mind."

He explained that he had worn the disguise so that he could walk around the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington, incognito before putting on the surprise performance. He said that he bought a "big witch nose" from a costume store and chose a black beard because it is "the furthest color from my natural hair."

Issuing an apology to "anybody that I may have offended," Macklemore added that "it was surprising and disappointing that the images of a disguise were sensationalized leading to the immediate assertion that my costume was [antisemitic].

"I acknowledge how the costume could, within a context of stereotyping, be ascribed to a Jewish caricature. I am here to say that it was absolutely not my intention, and unfortunately at the time I did not foresee the costume to be viewed in such regard. I'm saddened that this story, or any of my choices, would lead to any form of negativity."

While the resurfaced images drew the attention of some detractors, Macklemore has largely won praise for his statement on the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war, in which he spoke out against the loss of innocent lives on both sides. The full statement is below.

Macklemore's Full Statement

I have been in fear. I have felt a literal lump in my throat and I cannot stay silent any longer. I condemn the murder of any human. The bombings, kidnappings and murder of the Israeli people carried out by Hamas was horrific in every way imaginable. My heart deeply hurts for the Israelis that lost loved ones to such an abomination.

As a father I cannot imagine if one of my kids was at that festival, or was still missing after being kidnapped. It is absolutely unfathomable. But killing innocent humans in retaliation as collective punishment is not the answer. That is why I am supporting the people around the world who are calling for a ceasefire.

We are witnessing an unfolding genocide in Palestine at this very moment. A U.S. backed human catastrophe in front of our eyes. Gaza is being demolished. Well over 1 million people have lost their homes. Schools, hospitals, places of worship obliterated. Innocent kids are being murdered as I'm typing this. People can't get out. They are literally fenced in. Israel isn't allowing water, food and medicine into the open-air prison that is Gaza. And yet we remain silent. I have. There's the fear of immediately being labeled Anti-Semitic when you say anything against the Israeli government. This is false. I can whole heartedly love my Jewish brothers and sisters while simultaneously condemning Israeli government for mass killings and Apartheid.

I have been backstage at night before the shows, tears uncontrollably streaming down my face in absolute disbelief at how we as a country are supporting these murders with our weapons and financial backing. We are collectively praying for Israel before NFL football games, projecting Israeli flags onto our buildings and watching in-depth news stories on the catastrophic bombings in Israel. All are important ways of honoring the Israeli lives lost and those that are suffering because of it. But why are we not doing the same for Palestinians? How are one group of people's lives worth more than others?

By no means am I an expert on this conflict. I am relatively new to this and learning as I go. There's 75 years of Palestinian occupation and deeply rooted pain on both sides, stemming back far before I was born. But there is no side to take when it comes to our collective human spirit. I don't have to be an expert to inherently know this. We all have a voice and a platform to stand for what is right and just. Even if it's a one-on-one conversation with someone.

I understand my privilege in speaking out publicly because I have financial resources and am void of a boss of company to answer to. A lot of Americans are afraid that if they say something it could put their livelihood at risk. But if I'm putting my business, career, or Instagram followers above using my platform to speak out against genocide...what does that say about me?

I keep coming back to this MLK quote:

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

I have so many close lifelong Jewish and Muslim friends and I don't want to cause any additional harm to any of them. But I trust in our friendships that even if we disagree we can be rooted in love and acceptance in whatever dialogue transpires. I trust that these potential challenging and emotional conversations will not divide us in the end but lead to more compassion. Killing the innocent is never the answer. Revenge only breeds more hatred. Thinking of ourselves as separate from one another is a lie.

I stand with all humans. I stand for peace. I stand for love. I stand for freedom. And because of that, I stand for a Free Palestine and an end to the looming genocide of its people.

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