Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Javier Bardem backs petition seeking Pink’s Unicef removal over Palestine
Javier Bardem is supporting a petition against singer Pink.
The petition asks UNICEF to remove Pink as one of its ambassadors.
It began after Pink shared a post criticizing rapper Macklemore’s support for Palestinians.
Pink later said she did not agree with everything in that post.
She also said she was not trying to silence Macklemore or have him fired.
Macklemore had spoken about equal treatment for people in Gaza and the West Bank.
He was later removed from the rest of Ed Sheeran’s tour after venues objected to his comments.
Macklemore said he would give his tour earnings to groups helping Palestinians.
Javier Bardem urged followers to sign a petition seeking Pink’s removal as a UNICEF ambassador.
The petition says Pink’s response to Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments conflicts with her ambassadorial role.
Pink said she did not endorse all the language in a post criticizing Macklemore and opposed silencing artists.
Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s remaining tour dates after venues objected to his comments.
Macklemore said he would donate his $1 million tour earnings to six organizations supporting Palestinians.
- Who
- Actor Javier Bardem, singer Pink, rapper Macklemore, UNICEF, and others involved in Ed Sheeran’s tour.
- What
- Bardem backed a petition seeking Pink’s removal as a UNICEF ambassador over her response to Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments.
- When
- The petition was launched on September 11; Bardem promoted it on Monday, while the related concert performances occurred on September 4 and 5.
- Where
- The performances took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey; the broader dispute concerns Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Palestine.
- Why
- Petition organizers argue that Pink’s criticism of Macklemore’s performance and related social-media post are incompatible with her UNICEF ambassador role.
Supporters of the petition
Defenders of Pink’s response
Pink’s ambassador role
Supporters of the petition
Petition supporters argue that Pink’s sharing of criticism described as anti-Israel propaganda is incompatible with representing UNICEF and warrants decisive action.
Defenders of Pink’s response
Pink’s defenders point to her clarification that she did not agree with all the language in the post and was not calling for Macklemore to be silenced or removed.
Macklemore’s concert remarks
Supporters of the petition
Critics, including the Israeli-American Council, characterized Macklemore’s appearances as promoting a one-sided political agenda and called for his removal from the tour.
Defenders of Pink’s response
Macklemore said that supporting equal treatment for all people should not be controversial, while Bardem and petition supporters back the expression of concern for Palestinians.
Artist speech and tour removal
Supporters of the petition
Those objecting to Macklemore’s performances argued that concerts should not be used to promote one-sided political messaging and venues subsequently opposed his participation.
Defenders of Pink’s response
Macklemore, Pink’s stated position, and Sheeran’s comments emphasize artists’ ability to express views; Sheeran said he was not involved in the removal decision.
- Petition organizer
- Swifties Against Genocide
- Petition signatures
- More than 179,000
- Pink’s UNICEF role
- She has served as a UNICEF ambassador since 2015, focusing particularly on children’s health and nutrition programs.
- Macklemore’s message
- He called for dignity, respect, and equality for all people and said Gaza and the West Bank had not been forgotten.
- Tour consequence
- Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s remaining tour dates after venues objected to his appearance.
- Macklemore’s donation
- He announced a donation of his entire $1 million tour earnings to six organizations supporting Palestinians.
- Sheeran’s position
- Ed Sheeran said he was not complicit in Macklemore’s removal and that promoter Messina Touring Group made the decision after venue objections.