Fifty members of the UK’s House of Lords have called on the government to prevent US rapper Macklemore from entering the country ahead of his sold-out pro-Palestine benefit concert in London on 30 October, targeting his plans to raise funds for Palestinian organisations.
The letter, organised by Lord Walney, a former chair of Labour Friends of Israel, urges Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to revoke Macklemore’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA), arguing that his presence would not be “conducive to the public good”. The signatories’ objections centre on the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), one of the organisations set to receive proceeds from the rapper’s “Free Palestine Tour”.
The letter accuses PYM of glorifying terrorism and intimidating elected representatives, citing its political campaigning for Palestine after Israel’s war on Gaza, post October 7th, 2023. Several signatories have links to pro-Israel advocacy groups. They include Lord Eric Pickles, who has led Conservative Friends of Israel in the House of Lords, and Lord David Pannick, a patron of UK Lawyers for Israel, an organisation that campaigns against the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
Macklemore announced the tour after being removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s tour following his pro-Palestine statements at concerts in New Jersey in September. His European shows in Dublin, Paris and London have sold out, with proceeds going to organisations supporting Palestinians.
The attempt to block his entry has prompted criticism from politicians and campaigners who argue that it seeks to suppress political expression and fundraising for Palestine. The Home Secretary has not announced a decision on the request.
