Gaza artists create mural thanking Macklemore for support for Palestine

Gaza artists Anne Redwan, 26, and Qusai Al-Helo have created a mural dedicated to American rapper Macklemore, depicting him raising his fist alongside the words: "Thank you for using your voice for Palestine".

The artists designed and painted the mural on a concrete slab leaning against ruined buildings surrounded by rubble in Gaza, says Arab News.

Redwan said that as artists living under siege in Gaza, they created the mural as a simple gesture of gratitude and to highlight the persecution they live under.

Macklemore has faced controversy over his public comments on Israel's military campaign in Gaza and was removed from pop star Ed Sheeran's tour.

Sheeran said he was unable to keep Macklemore on the tour because stadium owners refused to let him perform.

Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, also barred Macklemore from appearing at the venue over allegations of antisemitism. Macklemore denies the accusation.

The rapper's public support has also drawn attention in Gaza, where local humanitarian workers said his statements carried symbolic importance.

Hussein Murtaja, who leads a Gaza humanitarian organisation providing mental health support to children, said Macklemore's public solidarity meant even more to locals than financial donations.

UNICEF official Toby Fricker said high-profile celebrity attention brings needed visibility to Gaza's humanitarian crisis, where nearly all residents depend on humanitarian aid for food, water, medical care and shelter.

Fricker said the vital need was for continuous, sustained support rather than short-lived peaks in media coverage.