A week of backlash surrounding a repost that criticized Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian message has pushed Pink to clarify her position. The singer admitted that she mishandled the reaction, particularly by responding to criticism with sarcastic memes, while rejecting the idea that standing with Jewish people means she does not care about Palestinians.
The controversy started after Macklemore took the stage as the opening act on Ed Sheeran’s tour at MetLife Stadium, where he called for a “Free Palestine” and performed “Hind’s Hall” as footage from Gaza played behind him. His comments sparked criticism from multiple Jewish advocacy groups, including StopAntisemitism, which accused the rapper of turning the concert into an anti-Israel political event. Pink later shared the organization’s message on her Instagram Stories without providing any additional context.
Critics soon interpreted the repost as Pink endorsing the entire message from StopAntisemitism, including its criticism of Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” statement and his accusations against Israel. Instead of immediately explaining her position, Pink responded to some of the criticism with a series of memes. She now admits that approach only intensified the controversy.
“I did what I do when I’m hurt, which is post snarky memes and act like I’m fine,” she wrote Friday (Sept. 11). “That’s on me. A repost isn’t a statement, and a meme isn’t a spine.” Pink acknowledged that she would not have used all of the wording featured in the original post and said she would rather have people disagree with her actual beliefs than continue attributing someone else’s words to her.
Much of Pink’s statement focused on the assumptions she feels were made after people learned or were reminded that she is Jewish. “I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it,” she wrote. “And this week a whole lot of people decided what I believe without asking me, without checking a single thing I’ve ever said or done.”
Pink then reiterated the stance she says she has maintained since October 2023. She described Hamas as a terrorist organization while emphasizing that “Palestinians deserve a future that honors their humanity and their aspirations.” She stressed that protecting innocent civilians should take priority over political loyalties and condemned anyone celebrating the deaths of children on either side.
Her position also aligns with the humanitarian work she highlighted in her statement. Pink has served as a UNICEF ambassador since 2015, following a trip with the organization to Haiti, where she visited programs focused on tackling childhood malnutrition. UNICEF still lists her as an ambassador working on issues involving children’s health and nutrition.
However, Pink stopped short of embracing the language Macklemore used during his performance. “I’m not going to litigate a complex war in an Instagram caption, and I’m not going to recite anybody’s slogan to earn back a follower,” she wrote. Macklemore, meanwhile, has continued to stand behind his comments. After an Israeli-American Council petition called for him to be removed from Sheeran’s tour, he said his message was centered on equal treatment and clarified that his criticism of the Israeli government was not directed at Jewish people.
“Of course I don’t speak for Israel, or for any government,” Pink wrote. “I never have.” She concluded by saying she intends to keep speaking publicly, but wants to do so in her own words rather than relying on reposts that could leave her views open to interpretation.
