'Block the barricade until Palestine is free': Macklemore releases pro-Palestinian song

American rapper Macklemore released a new track on Monday in solidarity with Palestine and echoing the voices of student protests taking hold across the world.

Titled "Hind's Hall," the song serves as an homage to Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli fire after spending hours trapped in her family's car, surrounded by the bodies of her family. Before she died, she had contacted paramedics of the Palestinian Red Crescent, two of which were killed next to Rajab's car, in their ambulance. A recording of the phone call was widely circulated, her pleas for help resonating far and wide.

Last week, during pro-Palestine student protests at Columbia University, demonstrators renamed Hamilton Hall, one of the campus buildings as "Hind's Hall," to honor the little Palestinian girl's memory.

In the track, Macklemore sampled the song "Ana La Habibi" by Lebanese icon Fayruz, one of the country's most influential artists. 

In his song, Macklemore raps about campus protests and the students' demands that the universities divest from companies and products that support Israel and its occupation. In the opening verse he says: "The people, they won't leave / What is threatenin’ about divesting and wantin' peace?"

In the second verse he specifically calls out the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and Christians United For Israel (CUFI). AIPAC is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the US government and Christians United For Israel (CUFI) is the largest Zionist organization in the United States, with over 10 million members.

"But the people are in the streets / You can pay off Meta, you can't pay off me / Politicians who serve by any means / AIPAC, CUFI, and all the companies / You see, we sell fear around the land of the free / But this generation here is about to cut the strings."

Pro-Palestinian hanging a banner reading the words "Hind's Hall" on the windows of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University on April 30, in New York City. (Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Reuters)

"Block the barricade until Palestine is free," he repeats.

Macklemore is also careful not to fall into a common habit of criticizing only the killing of women and children, which unintentionally diminishes the value of Palestinian men's lives.

According to the latest toll, the Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed 34,789 people, with thousands more missing and thought to be lost under the rubble.

The rapper also mentions the city of Rafah, in the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip, in which more than a million Palestinians sought refuge as the army methodically destroyed the Strip from North to South. "Pushin' everyone into Rafah and droppin' bombs," he raps, as Tel Aviv announced the beginning of its offensive against the city that it never stopped striking.

The video clip published by Macklemore on Instagram shows images of the student protests as well as scenes of the destruction in Gaza, and clips of journalists working in the Palestinian territory, such as Wael Dahdouh, Bisan Oueida, and Motaz Azaiza. The latter commented on the Instagram post, with clapping emojis. 

In a notable gesture of support, Macklemore pledged to donate all proceeds from the song's streaming to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), an organization dedicated to aiding Palestinian refugees, as he announced on the social network.

This isn't the first instance of Macklemore voicing his solidarity with Palestine. His advocacy dates back to earlier in the war, when he signed an open letter advocating for a cease-fire and an end to the blockade in Gaza, as well as participating in pro-Palestinian rallies.

His unwavering support is further exemplified by his choice to wear the Palestinian kuffiyeh, a symbol of solidarity, during performances, and his regular sharing of pro-Palestine content on social media platforms.