- Macklemore released “Hind’s Hall,” a pro-Palestinian anthem named after Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl killed by IDF fire in Gaza.
- The song condemns Israeli policies, including what Macklemore describes as an “apartheid system” and “occupying violence.”
- Macklemore has previously condemned Israel’s actions and participated in pro-Palestinian rallies.
- He pledged to donate all proceeds from the song to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
- The song addresses the accusation of antisemitism often leveled against critics of Zionism.
- Macklemore’s support for Palestinian protests, including those at Columbia University, has garnered significant attention.
Newsypeople- Macklemore, born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty on June 19, 1983, in Seattle, Washington, is an American rapper and songwriter. He launched his music career in the early 2000s, releasing his debut EP “Open Your Eyes” under the name “Professor Macklemore” in 2000. He later released his first full-length album, “The Language of My World,” in 2005.
In the late 2000s, Macklemore faced challenges with drug and alcohol abuse, which led him to enter rehab in 2008 following encouragement from his father. During this period, he met producer Ryan Lewis, and the two formed the hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. They achieved significant success with their debut album “The Heist” in 2012, featuring hit singles like “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us.” The duo went on to win four Grammy Awards in 2014, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album.
Since then, Macklemore has continued to release music both as a solo artist and with Ryan Lewis. Known for his socially conscious lyrics, his style uniquely blends elements of hip-hop, pop, and alternative music. Macklemore is also active in various philanthropic and advocacy efforts.
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Macklemore’s New Song Supports Palestine, Proceeds Go to UNRWA
Macklemore, the Grammy-winning American rapper, has made headlines with the release of his new song “Hind’s Hall,” a pro-Palestinian anthem that has garnered both support and criticism. The song is named after Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who tragically lost her life in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fire. This tragic event has sparked a wave of support for the Palestinian cause, with Macklemore’s song serving as a powerful statement against the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In “Hind’s Hall,” Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, delivers lyrics that condemn Israel’s policies, including what he describes as an “apartheid system” and “occupying violence.” The song’s music video features imagery of destruction in Gaza, pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and corporate logos of companies expressing support for Israel. This visual representation aims to highlight the disparity between the narratives of the conflict and the realities on the ground.
Macklemore’s outspoken stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not new. He has previously condemned Israel’s actions and participated in pro-Palestinian rallies, including a demonstration in Washington, where he referred to Israeli military operations in Gaza as “genocide.” This commitment to the Palestinian cause is evident in his latest release, which aims to raise awareness and support for the Palestinian refugees.
The rapper has announced that all proceeds from streaming “Hind’s Hall” will be donated to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. This decision reflects Macklemore’s dedication to supporting the Palestinian cause and his belief in the importance of using his platform to make a difference.
The song has resonated with many, with over 16 million views on Twitter alone and hundreds of positive comments on Instagram. It has also been noted for its defense of pro-Palestinian college protests and its condemnation of Israel’s actions. The track has struck a chord with audiences, highlighting the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights and the importance of solidarity in the face of conflict.
Macklemore’s “Hind’s Hall” serves as a powerful anthem for the Palestinian cause, using his platform to raise awareness and support for the Palestinian refugees. Through his music and his actions, Macklemore continues to make a significant impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, demonstrating his commitment to justice and equality for all.
UNRWA And It’s Influence On Palestinian Refugees
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a UN agency dedicated to supporting the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. Established in 1949 by the UN General Assembly (UNGA), UNRWA’s mandate covers Palestinians who fled or were expelled during the Nakba (the 1948 Palestine War) and subsequent conflicts, as well as their descendants, including legally adopted children. As of 2019, more than 5.6 million Palestinians are registered with UNRWA as refugees.
UNRWA operates in five areas: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. It provides a range of services to all registered Palestine refugees living in these areas who need assistance. These services include education, health care, and social services, aiming to support the human development of the refugees. UNRWA employs over 30,000 people, most of whom are Palestinian refugees, and a small number of international staff.
The agency provides facilities in 59 recognized refugee camps in these areas, as well as in other areas where large numbers of registered Palestine refugees live outside of recognized camps. For a camp to be recognized by UNRWA, there must be an agreement between the host government and UNRWA governing the use of the camp. UNRWA does not run camps itself but provides services within them.
UNRWA has developed its own working definition of “refugee” to allow it to provide humanitarian assistance. This definition includes persons whose regular place of residence was Palestine during the period from 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict. The agency’s mandate has been extended to include persons displaced by “the 1967 and subsequent hostilities” and, occasionally, to a broader cross-section of the local community.
UNRWA’s relief and social services program focuses on families without a male breadwinner, often very vulnerable, and considered “hardship cases.” These families receive food aid, cash assistance, and help with shelter repairs. Children from special hardship case families are given preferential access to vocational training centers, while women in such families are encouraged to join UNRWA’s women’s program centers. UNRWA has also created community-based organizations (CBOs) to target women, refugees with disabilities, and to look after the needs of children, providing them with technical and small sums of targeted financial assistance.
