Antisemite of the Week: Macklemore

Antisemite of the Week:

Macklemore

Benjamin Haggerty, a once popular American rapper who dubs himself 'Professor Macklemore,' has made headlines for stirring controversy with his increasingly antisemitic remarks. This comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas terrorists. However, Macklemore's engagement in antisemitism is nothing new, reflecting a troubling pattern of behavior.

In 2014, Macklemore appeared at a performance wearing a bushy beard, wig, and a large fake hooked nose, drawing widespread criticism. While Macklemore denied any antisemitic intent, he acknowledged in a statement the potential for the costume to perpetuate harmful stereotypes. He claimed that he did not foresee how the costume could be interpreted as a Jewish caricature and eventually issued an apology. His behavior following this event have highlighted that his prejudice against Jews and Israelis are masked no longer.

Macklemore has been vocal about supporting armed Palestinian resistance by advocating for the eradication of Israel at his concerts and rallies. In a November 2023 interview with Muslim News, he asserted, "we have to end this regime [Israel]." During a rally in Washington, DC, Macklemore made false claims of genocide and ethnic cleansing, calling for a ceasefire without condemning Hamas or advocating for the release of hostages held captive by the group, including American citizens.

Just a week after pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested at Columbia University, rapper Macklemore hailed them as heroes in his latest single, "Hind's Hall." These "heroic" students spent weeks advocating for the genocide of Israelis and their Jewish peers, engaged in property destruction, chanted "death to America," desecrated the American flag by replacing it with the Palestinian flag, expressed support for terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, all while denying access to Jewish students and faculty on campus.

Macklemore announced that all proceeds from the song would be donated to UNWRA. However, UNWRA is currently under investigation following revelations that it harbored and participated in the kidnapping and murder of Israelis on October 7th.

Here are the breakdown of Macklemore's latest single:

In the song's opening lines, the rapper questions, "What's threatening about divesting and seeking peace?" This serves as a reference to the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movements targeting Israel, which aim to undermine its economy. However, the rapper seems unaware of how these actions also impact Palestinians who rely on entering Israel for daily work and advocates for the boycott of the world's only Jewish state.

Macklemore's assertion that he's protesting against the "white supremacist" system highlights a complex issue. Historically, Jews have faced persecution because they were not considered white. However, in recent times, there has been a shift where Jews are categorized as white to delegitimatize their indigenous claims to Israel, adding layers of discrimination and marginalization to their history. Furthermore, the vast majority of Jews in Israel are people of color.

The rapper chants, "You can pay off Meta, you can't pay off me. Politicians who serve by any means. AIPAC, CUFI, and all the companies." He continues, that it has always been about the "dollars." This is a direct nod to the antisemitic trop of 'Jewish Control.'

Macklemore's lyrics continue with, "A state that's gotta rely on an apartheid system to uphold an occupying violent history, been repeating for the last seventy-five. The Nakba never ended, the colonizer lied (Woo)." These statements echo long-discredited falsehoods that have been used to incite violence against Jews. There is no apartheid system in Israel, and likening it to apartheid South Africa does a disservice to those who suffered under genuine apartheid. Referring to Jews as colonizers erases their indigenous ties to the land, and attributing the Nakba solely to supposed Jewish aggression ignores the historical context of Arab hostility. Additionally, the expulsion of Jews from Arab lands is often overlooked in this narrative.

Macklemore proudly declares that he lacks a label, yet he remains represented by WME Agency for his ongoing tour. StopAntisemitism needs YOU help - please email WME and insist that they sever ties with Macklemore due to his antisemitic rhetoric!

StopAntisemitism continues to hold antisemites accountable for their hatred.

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Saleem Siddiqi - Accounting

StopAntisemitism's relentless advocacy has once again proved effective as Saleem Siddiqi, a CPA associated with Baker Tilly, was exposed for his alarming antisemitic rhetoric, which included denying rape allegations and advocating for the dismantlement of Zionists, whom he equated with Jews. Siddiqi even went so far as to endorse terrorists as potential "person of the year." In response to public outcry sparked by StopAntisemitism's revelations, Baker Tilly promptly cut ties with Saleem Siddiqi.

Christian Evans - Marketing

Just a day after Hamas terrorists committed heinous acts, including murdering over 1200 people, kidnapping hundreds into Gaza, and perpetrating countless rapes, Christian Evans was found justifying their actions. StopAntisemitism uncovered Evans' history of calling for the end of Jewish self-determination, commonly known as Zionism. Employed at Leadgenix in Lehi, Utah, Evans's antisemitic sentiments were brought to light, prompting swift action. Leadgenix took decisive steps to terminate Christian Evans' employment following the exposure of his hateful posts.

Mazen Oudeh - Engineer

Thanks to the efforts of StopAntisemitism, Mazen Oudeh, a materials engineer at The Port Authority of NY & NJ was exposed for sharing horrifying antisemitic content, including disturbing imagery such as Jewish babies drinking Palestinian blood and comparisons of Israel to Nazis. Additionally, Oudeh made baseless claims alleging Israel's involvement in the killing of its own people. Following the revelation of Oudeh's abhorrent behavior, The Port Authority took decisive action, resulting in Oudeh's termination from his position.

Chris Hernandez - Nursing

In a shocking display of hostility, ER nurse Chris Hernandez recorded himself telling Jews to "shut the f*ck up" and deal with the antisemitism they face. StopAntisemitism quickly raised serious concerns regarding the Jewish patients he may encounter in the emergency room under his care. In response to this egregious misconduct, Hernandez has been placed on administrative leave pending a thorough investigation.

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