US rapper Macklemore is facing criticism after it emerged that proceeds from his upcoming Free Palestine tour will benefit the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), whose British spokeswoman previously defended the October 7, 2023, Hamas hostage-taking as a legitimate tactic.
Janine Hourani, spokeswoman for PYM's UK branch, previously announced:
"This moment reaffirmed the use of prisoner exchange as a legitimate and effective tactic in the framework of national liberation and anti-colonial struggles."
Following the massacre on October 7, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage, PYM published: "When people are conquered, resistance is justified."
The organization later described the Hamas-led attack as a "prison break".
Macklemore's concerts are scheduled for Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29, and London's 12,500 OVO Arena Wembley on October 30. The tour was announced after Macklemore was pulled from Ed Sheeran's US tour following controversy over his pro-Palestinian performances.