Jewish Leader Blasts AOC Over Macklemore Fallout

Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center Chairman Alan Mindel is condemning the response to rapper Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour, arguing Jewish concerns over anti-Semitism have been dismissed while stadium owner Robert Kraft has been portrayed as suppressing political speech.

Macklemore was dropped after performances at MetLife Stadium where he declared “Free Palestine,” accused Israel of genocide and apartheid, and displayed images from Gaza. Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said multiple venues would not host shows with Macklemore on the bill.

Mindel drew a distinction between supporting Palestinian self-determination and the accusations Macklemore leveled against Israel.

“‘Free Palestine’ is not anti-Semitism — most Jews support Palestinian self-determination, and we do not treat Palestinian freedom as a threat to our own,” Mindel said. “We believe every people deserves liberation, but we deserve it no less than anyone else, and are entitled to it in our own ancestral homeland.”

He drew a sharp distinction, however, when it comes to accusations of genocide and apartheid, saying those terms are used “to make the Jewish state, and Jews, uniquely monstrous — beyond defense, and beyond the protection that every other nation is granted.”

Mindel also pointed to Macklemore’s controversial 2014 appearance wearing a dark wig, beard and oversized prosthetic nose, which critics described as a Jewish caricature. Macklemore denied intending to depict Jews and apologized to those offended.

Kraft, who is Jewish and owns Gillette Stadium, declined to host Macklemore.

“That is not censorship,” Mindel said. “Every American has the absolute right not to be compelled to host, fund, or amplify your own defamation.”

Mindel also criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over her response to Kraft’s action, arguing that suggestions a wealthy Jewish businessman was coordinating with other powerful interests to restrict what Americans hear echoed a longstanding anti-Semitic stereotype.

“There is a name for that story,” Mindel said. “It ran in the Nazi press. It got our families killed.”

Mindel said the issue ultimately comes down to applying the same standards to anti-Semitism that society applies to attacks against other groups.

“We are not asking for special treatment,” Mindel said. “We are asking for the same treatment.”