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Robert Kraft

US rapper, singer, dancer and DJ, Benjamin Haggerty, known as Macklemore, performs at the Goldencoast Rap Festival in Corcelles-les-Monts, near Dijon, central-eastern France, on August 30, 2026. (ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP)
October 16, 2026, 1:16 am
Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ concerts draw scrutiny over pledged proceeds for anti-Israel group
Jewish leaders and politicians in UK question concert promoter Live Nation’s vetting of Palestinian Youth Movement, whose UK branch reportedly defended Hamas hostage-taking on Oct. 7
By ToI Staff
Screen captures from video of country singer Zach Bryan wearing a 'Free Palestine' shirt as he performs at the Gillette Stadium outside Boston, October 2, 2026. (X: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
October 5, 2026, 5:11 pm
Country star Zach Bryan performs in ‘Free Palestine’ shirt at Gillette Stadium
Musician displays message on stage at same stadium, owned by Robert Kraft, that was embroiled in spat over rapper Macklemore’s accusations of genocide by Israel
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Ed Sheeran speaks at the start of a concert in Philadelphia, on September 19, 2026. (Screenshots/Ed Sheeran via Instagram/X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
September 20, 2026, 9:50 am
Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ amid ongoing outcry over Macklemore’s ouster
Singer calls Hamas October 7 attack ‘horrific,’ says ‘what is happening in Gaza is catastrophic,’ as small group protests outside show over rapper’s removal for anti-Israel remarks
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Macklemore performs at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater during the South by Southwest Music Festival on March 17, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)
September 19, 2026, 6:46 am
In banning Macklemore, Kraft cites rapper’s ‘broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery’
Critics of pro-Palestinian singer draw attention to his 2014 ‘Jewface’ appearance, for which ADL forgave him at the time, as he causes fresh outrage with ‘genocide’ remarks
By Shira Li Bartov
Macklemore performs at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater during the South by Southwest Music Festival on March 17, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)
September 17, 2026, 6:34 pm
The Macklemore battle presents a trap that pro-Israel activists have yet to escape
The cancellation of the pro-Palestinian rapper from Ed Sheeran’s tour is still playing out. But advocates for Israel are still struggling to figure out how to quash anti-Israel invective without drawing even more attention to their opponents
By Ben Sales
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft walks the field during practice before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
September 17, 2026, 4:44 pm
Robert Kraft says singer Sheeran asked him to match $2 million aid pledge amid Macklemore beef
Patriots owner who pushed musician to drop rapper from tour over anti-Israel performance says Macklemore later asked him to match $1 million pledge to Palestinian groups, promises to ‘build bridges’
By ToI Staff
Recording artist Macklemore appears on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Summer Concert Series in Central Park in New York on July 22, 2022, left, and Ed Sheeran appears at the premiere of the film “F1 The Movie” in London on June 23, 2025. (AP Photo)
September 16, 2026, 2:11 am
Ed Sheeran’s Americas tour in trouble as opening acts quit over Macklemore’s removal
Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham and Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas drop out in solidarity with rapper who was ousted for onstage comments against Israel
By Agencies
Rap singer Macklemore performs before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans, September 19, 2021, in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/ Elaine Thompson/ File)
September 14, 2026, 8:42 pm
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after ‘Free Palestine’ MetLife set
Rapper says Robert Kraft pressured Sheeran and rallied other stadium owners against him; Patriots owner takes credit for decision after promoter said venues threatened to cancel shows
By ToI Staff
Steven Fransblow (left) and Adam Katz (right) look at the real-time dashboard at the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate command center in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Jackie Hajdenberg/ JTA)
June 26, 2026, 4:53 pm
Inside Boston’s Gillette Stadium, a high-tech command center is fighting antisemitism
Wall-sized screens that once ran plays during Patriots practice now display real-time data on hate-speech for Blue Square Alliance, the nonprofit founded by team owner Robert Kraft
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Screen capture of the TribeTalk website, June 26, 2026. (TribeTalk)
June 26, 2026, 8:40 am
Massachusetts principal under fire for apologizing for antisemitism discussion
Obliquely worded letter to parents sparks outcry for seeming to regret teaching about Holocaust; in fact, it reportedly apologized for lesson on modern-day antisemitism that used material by pro-Israel org
By Andrew Lapin
Illustrative: A teenager finds a Post-It note with the words 'Dirty Jew' on his backpack in the 2026 Super Bowl ad from Robert Kraft's Blue Square Alliance. (Screenshot via JTA)
February 6, 2026, 11:14 pm
Super Bowl ad against antisemitism slammed as ‘disconnected’ from Jewish teens’ reality
Commentators say $15 million clip funded by Robert Kraft is cliched portrayal of Jewish weakness, with teenagers more frequently encountering hatred online and in context of anti-Israel activism
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Snoop Dogg (left) and Tom Brady star in a Super Bowl ad calling out hate, produced by Robert Kraft's foundation. (YouTube screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
February 7, 2025, 6:47 am
Robert Kraft’s Super Bowl ad enlists Tom Brady, Snoop Dogg to combat ‘all hate’
Commercial by New England Patriots owner’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism makes no mention of Jews, after last year’s ad prominently called to ‘stand up to Jewish Hate’
By jacob gurvis
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft walks the field during practice before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
June 27, 2024, 6:26 am
Robert Kraft announces $1m donation to Yeshiva U after yanking funds from Columbia
Move by US philanthropist and New England Patriots owner comes as Modern Orthodox institution readies for influx of students who left secular universities amid anti-Israel protests
By jacob gurvis
Screen capture from video from a Foundation to Combat Antisemitism ad to be aired during NBA playoffs in 2024. (YouTube. Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
May 8, 2024, 8:36 am
Kraft’s foundation to air ad at NBA playoffs slamming antisemitism at campus protests
30-second Foundation to Combat Antisemitism spot includes images from recent demonstrations against war in Gaza; pushes message to bring ‘passion,’ not ‘hate,’ to protests
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators face off in front of the entrance of Columbia University, which is occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters in New York on April 22, 2024. One of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators is holding up a poster of Zakaria Zubeidi, a notorious Fatah commander convicted of masterminding terror attacks during the Second Intifada. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
April 22, 2024, 6:21 pm
Dozens arrested at Yale; Columbia pauses in-person classes after ‘burn Tel Aviv’ calls
Riot cops clear protest encampment at Yale; Columbia head says classes to go remote to ‘deescalate the rancor,’ after calls of ‘go back to Poland’ and ‘burn Tel Aviv to the ground’
By Jacob Magid
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