Rapper Macklemore is being targeted by pro-Israel groups after calling for a free Palestine while opening for Ed Sheeran — a fight that is now about who gets to speak in public without losing their job.

• Macklemore used his opening set to call for Palestinian freedom and said criticism of Israel is not criticism of Jewish people.
• Pro-Israel groups including the ADL are demanding he be dropped from the tour, denied pay, and blacklisted from future shows.
• The pressure has spread to Ed Sheeran himself for not distancing from his opening act, and to singer Pink, who shared a critical post and drew backlash.
• The broader charge: an organized network pushes employers to fire anyone who speaks up for Palestinians, including Jewish Americans who criticize the war.
• The counter-proposal is employers publicly pledging not to fire staff over pro-Palestinian speech.

Outlook: Expect more campaigns against venues and artists, with the fight over speech on Gaza spilling further into concerts, workplaces, and mainstream media.