American rapper Macklemore launched his Free Palestine tour with a sold-out concert at Dublin’s 3Arena on Tuesday, calling for unity, dignity, and freedom for Palestinians. The event featured performances by Irish musicians Hozier and Kneecap, and actor Mark Ruffalo sent a message of support.

This Dublin show marked the tour’s first appearance, following Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour in September after he openly expressed pro-Palestinian views during a performance. According to reports, proceeds from the three planned European dates will be directed to charities providing aid to Palestinians.

During the concert, Macklemore addressed the controversy sparked by his earlier remarks. He reflected on how simply saying “free Palestine” had drawn significant backlash, stating that these words are grounded in a call for love, liberation, and shared humanity rather than division or hatred. He emphasized that his message is not intended to be oppositional but rather a plea for recognition of Palestinian rights.

Macklemore also criticized attempts to suppress such expressions of solidarity. “Those two words are so threatening to some people,” he said. “They would rather silence those two words than confront what they actually mean. Because freedom that requires another person’s oppression is not freedom at all.”

The artist’s remarks have reignited discussions on the role of entertainers in political activism and the tensions surrounding advocacy for Palestinian rights. Organizers of the Free Palestine tour aim to combine music with awareness and support for humanitarian efforts in the region, highlighting the growing engagement of artists on international political issues.