Macklemore speaks out after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour over pro-Palestine stance

US rapper Macklemore has been dropped from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after making several onstage comments in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Macklemore has faced backlash for performing the pro-Palestinian song Hind’s Hall while supporting Sheeran , with footage of the war in Gaza displayed on screens behind him.

He has also used his performances to criticise Israel’s actions in Gaza and urge audiences to support Palestinians, resulting in accusations of antisemitism and calls for him to be dropped from the tour.

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Messina Touring Group, promoter of the US leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, said a number of venues along the tour route will not allow the concert to take place if Macklemore is featured in the line-up.

“After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates,” the touring group confirmed.

In a statement shared to Instagram, the rapper confirmed he has been removed from the tour following “difficult conversations in the past week” with Sheeran.

Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, started his statement by saying the only victims in the situation are Palestinians, “who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence”.

He said Sheeran was contacted by Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, who told him Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at the venue.

He also claimed Kraft had rallied other stadium owners, who warned Sheeran he would not be allowed to play at their venues if Macklemore remained on the tour.

“Ed was in a f***ed-up position. He knew it. His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before. He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with,” Macklemore stated.

“I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood.

“And I get why people don’t. Taking a side can cost you: money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.

“When one side has the bombs and bottomless financial and military support from America, refusing to take a side doesn’t leave you in the middle.”

Despite the disagreement, Macklemore said he was hopeful his relationship with Sheeran would not be impacted by the decision.