Mark Ruffalo sends 'free Palestine' message to Macklemore show

Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo has delivered a powerful message of solidarity with Palestinians at a sold-out Macklemore concert in Dublin, urging thousands of fans to continue fighting for Palestinian freedom and equality.

The Avengers star appeared in a surprise video message during Monday night's concert at the 3Arena, where the American rapper launched his Free Palestine tour alongside prominent musicians, actors and activists.

"Keep fighting for a free Palestine, and humanity all over the world, and equality amongst the people. There'll be no peace until there's equality," Ruffalo told the crowd.

"Lots of love. Have a great show. Keep fighting the good fight. Amen. God bless everybody," he added, drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience.

The 13,000-capacity concert featured performances by Irish singer Hozier, Belfast rap trio Kneecap, Palestinian singer Lina Makoul, Irish folk band Beoga and American hip-hop group Dead Prez.

Other celebrities, including Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon, comedian Ilana Glazer and The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas, also delivered recorded messages of solidarity.

Irish actor Liam Cunningham, known for his role in Game of Thrones, addressed the audience in person, while a video performance by the Gaza Children's Choir was screened during the evening.

The concert was organised after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining American dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour following his public expressions of support for Palestine during performances in New Jersey last month.

The rapper had used the words "Free Palestine" during his appearances, prompting controversy that ultimately led to his removal from the tour.

Sheeran subsequently said the decision had been made by the tour's promoter after venues threatened to refuse further performances involving Macklemore.

Several artists, including Beoga, withdrew from the tour in solidarity with the rapper.

Speaking to the Dublin crowd, Macklemore reflected on the controversy and the overwhelming response to his decision to organise his own concerts in support of Palestinians.

"Six weeks ago, two words is all that it took," he said, referring to the slogan that sparked the dispute.

"Those two words are so threatening to some people that we'd rather silence those two words than confront what they actually mean."

He added that the words had become more controversial than the suffering Palestinians were experiencing.

The Grammy-winning rapper, who has repeatedly condemned Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, praised Ireland's solidarity with Palestinians and thanked Hozier and Kneecap for immediately agreeing to participate in the concerts.

Hozier also used his appearance to call on the Irish government to approve visas for 55 Palestinian students in Gaza who have secured scholarships at Irish universities.

He directed concertgoers to a petition urging the authorities to allow the students to travel to Ireland to continue their education.

Kneecap, who have been outspoken supporters of Palestine, performed a politically charged set and jokingly thanked Ed Sheeran for helping bring about the concert.

Macklemore performed several of his best-known songs, including Same Love, Thrift Shop and Can't Hold Us, alongside Hind's Hall, his protest song condemning Israel's assault on Gaza and expressing solidarity with pro-Palestinian student demonstrators.

Waving a Palestinian flag, the rapper pledged to continue campaigning for Palestinian liberation.

"I am proud to stand here on stage in solidarity with the Palestinian people," he told the audience.

"We will continue to fight for collective liberation until our last breath."

All proceeds from the Free Palestine concerts will support organisations providing humanitarian assistance, medical care and advocacy for Palestinians, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, Gaza Soup Kitchen, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.

The tour continues in Paris on 29 October and London on 30 October, with further dates expected to be announced.