Gaza charities have said they are “incredibly grateful” for Macklemore’s support, ahead of the conclusion of the rapper’s Free Palestine tour in London on Friday.

The US rapper announced the tour, which began in Dublin last Monday, after he was dropped as Ed Sheeran’s support act in September because of comments he made about Gaza.

The Seattle-based artist said “Free Palestine” on stage and called the situation in Gaza a “genocide”.

All proceeds from the 43-year-old’s sold-out three-show tour will go to 12 organisations and charities which support the Palestinian movement.

The final gig of the Free Palestine tour takes place at the OVO Arena Wembley on Friday evening.

Shabby Amini, director of fundraising and marketing at Medical Aid for Palestinians, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Macklemore for his generous support and for using his platform to keep the experiences of Palestinians in the spotlight, especially at a time when many are choosing to stay silent.

“Macklemore’s support is a powerful reminder that Palestinians must not be forgotten when the headlines move on.”

A spokesman for aid organisation Anera, which supports displaced Palestinians, said: “Music has always had the power to bring people together, inspire action and unite us in the pursuit of something greater.

“Seeing thousands of people come together through song and love in solidarity with the people of Gaza moves us deeply.”

Macklemore announced his tour 10 days after being removed from Sheeran’s The Loop tour and has already played shows in Dublin and Paris.

His dropping came after Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots NFL team, said Sheeran would not be able to play at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts if Macklemore was still the opening act.

Sheeran said it was his promoter’s decision to remove the rapper from the tour and several other support acts pulled out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

The organisations being supported by Macklemore’s tour include: Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, Heal Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Middle East Children’s Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.

Source: Press Association