Ed Sheeran personally asked billionaire Robert Kraft to pledge $2 million towards Palestinian relief efforts, according to a statement released by the businessman amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from the singer's tour.
Robert, the owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, announced the commitment on Wednesday, 16 September. He said Ed had called him earlier that day and asked him to match his own donation.
The announcement followed Macklemore's pledge to donate $1 million in earnings from Ed's Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians. The rapper had also publicly challenged Robert to match his contribution.
Robert said his conversation with Ed had taken place before Macklemore issued that invitation. "Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis," he wrote. "Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges."
Robert Kraft's Palestinian relief pledge
The 85-year-old businessman said he believed that "all lives are worth protecting" a...