\n<\/p>\n
\n\tHours after Macklemore<\/a> challenged Robert Kraft<\/a> \u201cto match\u201d his $1 million donation to organizations supporting Palestinians, the billionaire New England Patriots owner responded. Earlier in the week, Kraft allegedly led a pressure campaign<\/a> to force the Seattle rapper off of Ed Sheeran\u2019s The Loop Tour<\/a>, igniting a firestorm of backlash from artists and fans accusing Kraft of censoring Macklemore\u2019s free speech. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting,\u201d Kraft said in a statement on Gillette Stadium\u2019s social media. (Kraft owns the venue.) \u201cEarlier 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. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tKraft continued, \u201cIn addition, I\u2019d like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.\u201d Kraft did not specify what efforts he supported in his statement. <\/p>\n \n\tA rep for Sheeran did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone<\/em>\u2018s request for comment.<\/p>\n