British politicians defend Macklemore and reject push to ban him from UK
Imran Mulla reports in Middle East Eye on 27 October 2026:
British politicians have urged the government to resist pressure to ban US rapper Macklemore from the country, in comments to Middle East Eye. The American rapper is set to perform in Wembley in London on Thursday [29 October] in a concert to raise money for Palestine, but over the weekend a group of 50 peers signed a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging her to revoke Macklemore’s electronic travel authorisation.
Now politicians have told MEE the home secretary should ignore the calls and allow Macklemore into the country.
Mothin Ali, the deputy leader of the Green Party, said: “As a country we value freedom of speech as one of our highest held freedoms. “The campaign to stop a musician from playing in the UK is worryingly authoritarian, especially on the back of Sally Rooney having to withdraw her books from the UK.” Ali told MEE: “Macklemore has taken a principled stance in speaking out against the atrocities committed in Palestine. He should be celebrated not demonised.”
Independent MP Zarah Sultana said: “Full solidarity with Macklemore, who has consistently used his platform to speak up for Palestine and oppose Israel’s brutal genocide.” Sultana added: “While fifty unelected peers demand this ban, millions of people across Britain stand in solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian people.
“This is a disgraceful attack on freedom of expression, which sends a chilling message to every artist who dares to speak out: stay silent or face the consequences.
“Macklemore should be welcomed to Britain and free to perform. The home secretary must reject these demands and make clear that solidarity with Palestine is no grounds for exclusion.”
The rapper – whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty – made international headlines last month after British pop singer Ed Sheeran dropped him from his US tour, allegedly over pro-Palestinian comments Macklemore made on stage.
Macklemore performed his song Hind’s Hall, which condemns Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and was filmed declaring “Free Palestine” on stage and addressing Jewish fans, saying: “Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you.”