Rapper Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks during two concerts.
The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had been performing as the opening act on Sheeran’s Loop tour. He faced criticism from Jewish groups after saying “Free Palestine” on stage and delivering political speeches.
Macklemore confirmed on Monday that he had been dropped from the remaining shows. In an Instagram statement of nearly 1,000 words, he said the Palestinian people in Gaza were the real victims of the conflict.
Sheeran has not publicly commented on the decision, while it remains unclear who will replace Macklemore for the rest of the tour.
The controversy started on 4 September, when Macklemore performed at Sheeran’s concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Addressing the crowd, he said a major reason he wanted to join the tour was to stand in stadiums and say two words that were very dear to him: “Free Palestine.”
He then performed his song “Hind’s Hall”, which condemns Israel’s military action in Gaza. Footage depicting destruction in Gaza was shown on the stadium’s big screen during the performance.
Campaign group StopAntisemitism criticised Macklemore after the show. “Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing… not to be ambushed by Macklemore’s anti-Israel propaganda,” the group said.
Macklemore appeared on the same stage again the following night. He said criticism of Israel, opposition to apartheid and being against genocide were not criticisms of Jewish people. He also said he wanted Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
The backlash intensified after the Israeli-American Council launched a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour.
The council argued that the event was an Ed Sheeran concert rather than a political rally, protest or activist event. It also accused Macklemore of presenting biased messaging and disputed some of his claims.
Macklemore said he had difficult discussions with Sheeran for a week before the two reached a fundamental disagreement. He said he was subsequently removed from the tour.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group told Rolling Stone that venues had informed the company they would not allow Macklemore to perform. According to the promoter, the situation could have led to the cancellation of the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.
Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, also said he had banned Macklemore from performing at the venue. Kraft said the stadium would not provide a platform for hate speech.
Macklemore said he understood the difficult position Sheeran faced but criticised the singer for not taking a public position on the issue.
“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,” he wrote.
He also argued that criticism of Israel, opposition to Zionism or calls to “Free Palestine” should not be equated with hatred of Jewish people. According to Macklemore, doing so does not protect Jewish people but instead protects Israel from accountability.
Despite performing only two shows on the tour, Macklemore said he considered the experience successful if his remarks had helped shift public discussion back towards Palestine.
