Pro-Israel Peers Call for Macklemore to Be Banned From the UK

Fifty British peers have written to home secretary Shabana Mahmood urging her to ban American rapper Macklemore from the UK ahead of his Wembley gig this week. 

The letter, organised by ex-chair of Labour Friends of Israel Lord Walney, calls on Mahmood to revoke Macklemore’s electronic travel authorisation on the basis that proceeds from the tour will be donated to the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM).

Lord Walney’s letter claims the grassroots anti-genocide group has a “record of glorifying terrorism and intimidating elected representatives” – allegations that PYM denies and which are based on its positions regarding what counts as legitimate resistance and protest.  

The peers’ letter characterises a 2025 PYM campaign that encouraged people to pressure Labour party figures over Palestine as “an attempt to coerce members of parliament through fear”. 

Signatories include former Conservative party chair Eric Pickles, former DUP leader Arlene Foster, former attorney general Lord Goldsmith, Lord Brady of Altrincham – appointed by Rishi Sunak – and Lord Roberts of Belgravia, who was appointed by Boris Johnson.

Macklemore announced his Free Palestine Tour – which quickly sold out its dates in Dublin, Paris and London – shortly after he was dropped as a support act on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour last month. 

Pro-Israel billionaire Robert Kraft spearheaded a ban on the rapper performing after he spoke out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza during shows at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Lord Walney acted as a political violence advisor for the government between 2020 and 2025. 

In 2024, he recommended the proscription of groups such as Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil while working for lobbying organisations in the arms and fossil fuel industries. 

That included a role as chair of the Purpose Business Coalition, whose members include oil giant BP and arms manufacturer Leonardo, which has extensive links to the Israeli military.