Mike Huckabee calls out Macklemore on antisemitism: 'Voice' of 'Jew hatred'
Ambassador Huckabee Criticizes Macklemore, Warns of Rising Antisemitism in Canada, and Discusses Israel‑Saudi Relations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a televised interview with Fox News Digital on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made a series of remarks that drew attention from music fans, political leaders, and international observers. The former Arkansas governor‑turned‑diplomat said he supports National Football League (NFL) owners who are calling for the cancellation of Macklemore’s upcoming concerts, arguing that the rapper’s public stance on the Israel‑Gaza conflict is “Jew hatred.”
Huckabee’s comments followed a controversial “Free Palestine” rant by Macklemore that drew criticism from a number of high‑profile figures. The ambassador said, “It’s really unfortunate that Macklemore has decided that he’s going to become the voice, if you will, of Jew hatred,” adding that he could not understand why entertainers would “take a pro‑Hamas position.” He went on to describe the atrocities Hamas committed in Gaza, calling them “viciously raped, beheaded babies, burned elderly people in their wheelchairs…unthinkable and unspeakable things to innocent civilians” before the group “butchered, massacred 1,200 people and then took 251 people hostage, including many Americans.”
Huckabee also defended the NFL’s decision to pull Macklemore from a joint Ed Sheeran tour, noting that “the people that own these stadiums, the people that have promoted the concerts, weren’t promoting a pro‑Hamas rally.” He said he would “support NFL owners pushing to cancel Macklemore’s performances” because “free speech does not mean that you can say anything you want anytime you want, anywhere you want without consequences.”
The interview also saw the ambassador turn to antisemitism beyond U.S. borders. He referenced a letter from the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL) sent to former President Donald Trump earlier in the month that urged the administration to make it easier for Jewish Canadians to obtain U.S. visas. “We’ve all seen, frankly, been quite alarmed at some of the extraordinary Jew hatred that is taking place in Canada,” Huckabee said. “Many Canadian Jewish people are really concerned and afraid for their lives.” He added that the rhetoric in Canada had become “very, very harsh” and recalled Trump’s response: “President Trump, as you may remember, took the letter from the NACL, and he published it and said that he would certainly look into it.”
Finally, the ambassador addressed Israel’s position in the broader Middle East context. He said the nation has made it clear that it wants to improve relations with its neighbors and that it “isn't trying to take anybody else’s land.” Huckabee suggested that Israel could consider offering assistance to Saudi forces in the current Houthi‑led offensive against Yemeni government troops, but he cautioned that whether Israel would act on such a request would ultimately depend on discussions between Saudi and Israeli officials. “Israel isn’t the problem over here,” he said.
Huckabee’s comments arrived amid ongoing debates over the political responsibilities of artists, the rise of antisemitic incidents worldwide, and the shifting dynamics of Middle East alliances. While the ambassador’s stance on Macklemore has already sparked backlash from some supporters of the musician, his remarks on Canada’s antisemitic climate and Israel‑Saudi relations have drawn attention from policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the U.S. administration will respond to the ambassador’s call for action on these pressing issues.