Robert Kraft issues lengthy statement on Macklemore after rapper says NFL owner had him banned from

[u/TheMirrorUS]

https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/robert-kraft-macklemore-sheeran-palestine-2024272

[u/bigjoebegs]

Are there enough ads on the article? The thing is almost unreadable.

Here's the quote (which I had to find somewhere else btw):

"
Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech. Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line,

This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real. But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike. I agree with Macklemore. Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate. Over many decades, I have directed resources to Palestine and created athletic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Palestinians who I admire and respect. Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive.

Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed. I have tremendous respect for Ed and his music, particularly his unique ability to bring people together and spread joy, and I have always been proud to welcome him and his fans to Gillette Stadium.

I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same – peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate.
"

[u/fuckdirectv → u/bigjoebegs]

I love how saying "free Gaza" is somehow hate speech targeting Jewish people when it literally never references Jewish people or Judaism or Israel in any way.

[u/4DPeterPan → u/bigjoebegs]

So what exactly is it about Macklemore that kraft told him “no” for and tried to get him blackballed? Cause based off of what you just quoted about kraft, and based off of what Macklemore has said… I’m not understanding where they are differing? It “Seems” like they both want the same thing?

[u/VendrediDisco → u/4DPeterPan]

Reading Macklemore's statement paints a very different picture of the situation. "Free Palestine" and displaying the Palestinian flag "are hurtful" to Kraft et al.

If there seems to be incongruity between the above statement and Macklemore's actions/Kraft's reactions, I would ask you to consider who could potentially look bad in the fallout from this, and why they might lie to protect their position. Who is using their power to limit access and suppress speech? Who lobbied other arena owners to follow suit? Who is a huge supporter of both Trump and AIPAC? What are Trump and AIPAC's views on Palestine's "right to exist?"

Also, the beginning of this statement explicitly says that Macklemore's recent and past actions are demonstrations of antisemitism. Maybe read Mack's statement again.

[u/4DPeterPan → u/VendrediDisco]

Yea I’m pretty ignorant in this whole ordeal. Even all the way down to what’s going on with Israel, hamas, Gaza, free Palestine, etc etc.

I’ve pretty much stayed out of the loop. Only ever hearing headlines about all this stuff from time to time as I scroll past, and never really taking the time to look into it.

To me it’s always just been a “whelp, just another Tuesday of more messed up unnecessary shit going on in the world pointlessly. More evil men justifying their evil deeds”.

But today, since hearing about Macklemore and Ed Sheeran, it peaked my interest, so I decided to try and comprehend this whole mountain of crap, to see what’s going on.

And as you can see, there’s a lot I don’t know. But after reading your recent reply to me, and re-reading macklemores and krafts statement, I can see the differences now in Kraft and Macklemore. Thank you for the knowledge! I Appreciate you!

[u/VendrediDisco → u/4DPeterPan]

Happy to help!

[u/the_brunster → u/bigjoebegs]

I haven't come across anyone who supports an end to Israel's actions against Palestine/inans, who also throws support behind Hamas.

They're both terrorists (Bib & his IDF, not Jewish people as a whole) and yet it seems that the atrocities by Israel, far outweigh October 7.

And whilst we're at it, should we ask Lebanon for input?

[u/canufeelthelove → u/bigjoebegs]

Browsing without adblock and then complaining about the number is ads is quite the combo.