Robert Kraft called Macklemore's "Free Palestine" statements "offensive" in explaining why he called for the rapper's removal from Ed Sheeran's tour.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has defended his decision to create a de facto ban on rapper Macklemore performing in support of Ed Sheeran.

Robert Kraft pledged $2 million toward "aid in the region" after Macklemore urged him to match his $1 million donation to Palestinian organizations.

Robert Kraft explained why he chose to block Macklemore from performing with Ed Sheeran at Gillette Stadium later this month, a decision which the pro-Palestine rapper says led to his removal from the Loop Tour entirely.

Billionaire Patriots owner said he is committed to "ensuring that all events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech"

Macklemore challenged Kraft to match his $1 million donation to Palestinian causes, though Kraft said Sheeran contacted him first.

Kraft also, of course, is Jewish and, in 2019, founded an alliance based at Gillette to combat antisemitism. Among other things, it has worked with celebrities like Tom Brady, Snoop Dogg and Shaquille O’Neal on anti-hate messaging. Macklemore claims his chants aren’t antisemitic, just anti-Israel.

Millions of dollars in support of Palestinians are on the line amid a war of words between Macklemore and Robert Kraft.