Singer Pink has publicly responded to criticism following her repost of remarks targeting Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments during Ed Sheeran’s concerts at MetLife Stadium. Her statement clarifies her stance on Israel and Gaza, explaining why her previous posts were perceived incorrectly.
Her initial repost, which originated from StopAntisemitism, accused Macklemore of spreading “anti-Israel propaganda” and argued that Jewish fans deserved apologies and refunds. This post, combined with what Pink calls “snarky memes,” provoked accusations of bias and prompted calls for boycotts on social media.
Pink’s response comes after a week filled with online disputes, including a petition from the Israeli-American Council urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from his U.S. tour. The debate over artists’ roles in discussing the Gaza conflict remains intense nearly three years after October 7.
Pink’s Updated Statement
Pink acknowledged her silence over the past week, noting that her repost expressed views she didn’t personally write. She admitted using memes as a response, stating, “A repost isn’t a statement, and a meme isn’t a spine.”
“I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it,” she said, emphasizing that her past remarks have been misunderstood. She reiterated her October 2023 stance, saying, “Hamas is a terrorist organization. Palestinians deserve a future that honors their humanity and their aspirations. Protecting innocent life comes first, everywhere, and nobody should ever celebrate the death of a child. Anybody’s child.”
Pink referred to her decade as a UNICEF ambassador, expressing her concern for lives lost on both sides of the conflict. She emphasized she would not “litigate a complex war in an Instagram caption” nor conform to slogans to regain followers.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Contact Newsweek editors regarding this story: Samantha Beech and Sam Wilson.