israel determined to start war

[GoCubsGo]

[Vrede too]

A new reason to hate Robert Kraft, the Pats and Israel:

Macklemore says he was dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after Patriots owner banned him from stadium over Palestine stance
Rapper claims Robert Kraft told Sheeran he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium

Macklemore has spoken out after being dropped from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour dates.

It comes after Macklemore made comments in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank while opening for the singer in New Jersey earlier this month.

... Macklemore continued: “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

The rapper went on to say that he did not blame Sheeran personally for removing him from the tour, saying the “Shape of You” singer was put in a “f***ed up position.”

Macklemore continued: “He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with. I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood. But he couldn’t get past his public facing, ‘I don’t take sides.’ And I get why people don’t.”

Macklemore continued: “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.” ...

Fuck Israel and NuttyYahoo, Kraft and the Pats. Free the 1A and Free Palestine!

I may have to download some Macklemore.

[Vrede too]

All of Ed Sheeran’s Openers Abandon Tour After Macklemore Debacle

Opps. Viva 1A!!!

My download list is growing.

... "I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage," (Aaron) Rowe wrote on Instagram. Rowe added that he did not "take the decision lightly," thanking Sheeran for his friendship and for the opportunities he'd given him. "But," Rowe continued, "as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation… I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonization, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland." (Humanitarian groups and a United Nations commission have said Israel's actions in Gaza constitute a genocide. Israel and its allies, including the United States, have denied this.)

Sheeran is also losing the support of Beoga, a traditional Irish folk band who join him onstage for a run of songs during his set. The band said they made the decision to leave the tour "following the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies."

Like Rowe, the band thanked Sheeran for his friendship and for asking them to join him on tour, but said: "We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people. As musicians, playing to those crowds every night is the stuff of dreams but to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us."

They added, "We were there for Macklemore's performance and speech. We fully supported his message, so did most of the audience in MetLife Stadium, which terrifies the lobbies. Go back and read the transcript if you're in doubt. We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be. This whole episode is once again serving to distract form the real issue, over 1000 Palestinians have been killed since the most recent so-called ceasefire." ...

[Vrede too]

Trump Is Reportedly Sending Israel $2.8 Billion in Bombs. You’re Paying for Them

We suck. No wonder they hate us.

[neoplacebo]

I'm sure those 2,000lb bombs will come in handy in Gaza and the West Bank.

[Vrede too]

All of Ed Sheeran’s Openers Abandon Tour After Macklemore Debacle

Opps. Viva 1A!!!

My download list is growing.

ED SHEERAN BREAKS SILENCE ON ISRAEL-GAZA AT FIRST SHOW AMID TOUR CONTROVERSY: ‘I CANNOT HIDE HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT ANYMORE’ (with clips)
“This has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet," Sheeran said

Ed Sheeran took the stage on Saturday night for the first time since Macklemore was removed from his stadium tour following the Seattle rapper’s onstage speech in support of Palestinians. The singer, who did not have any opening acts at the Philadelphia show, addressed the backlash at the top of his set.

“This is not usually how I would open the show, but before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week,” he said, visibly shaken as he spoke. “I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky a lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised. I’m not surprised that other people don’t. It’s normal. But this week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry.”

He continued: “I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet. My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am, and that is why I’m here tonight on my own and continuing my current tour.”

... “I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performers,” Sheeran said Saturday. “This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.”

... “Now, I want to address the question of where I stand on Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand,” he said. “I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division; about humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.

“What happened in Israel and at the Nova Music Festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives. The systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked. I am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening and learning because I do not know enough.” ...