Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, defended his ban on rapper Macklemore at Gillette Stadium. He told Variety that his actions were justified because of the artist’s inappropriate behavior.
Kraft said the rule applied to each event held at Gillette Stadium.
“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,” he said.
The owner highlighted Macklemore’s performances with Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in early October, as well as a history that goes much farther back.
“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,” Kraft noted.
However, his objections were not aimed at the idea that the artist defends.
“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,” he said.
His opposition was in what it left out, according to the owner.
“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, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike,” Kraft added.
He compared the losses of both parties.
“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,” he said.
Kraft highlighted his contributions to the region.
“Over many decades, I have directed resources to Palestine and created athletic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Palestinians who I admire and respect,” he noted.
He believed both views could go hand in hand.
“Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive,” Kraft added.
Having spent much of the past decade fighting antisemitism and other types of hate, he felt obligated to take action now.
“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,” he said.
Kraft compared the opening act to the headliner, whose concert in Foxborough will still take place on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26.
“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,” he said.
The owner concluded by inviting the artist to discuss the issue with him.
“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,” Kraft added.
