{"id":617018,"date":"2026-09-15T18:52:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T18:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/617018\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T18:52:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T18:52:12","slug":"ed-sheeran-responds-to-backlash-over-removing-macklemore-from-tour-after-free-palestine-comments-ed-sheeran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/617018\/","title":{"rendered":"Ed Sheeran responds to backlash over removing Macklemore from tour after \u2018Free Palestine\u2019 comments | Ed Sheeran"},"content":{"rendered":"

Singer Ed Sheeran<\/a> has responded to the backlash over the removal of Macklemore<\/a> from his North American Loop tour, following the rapper\u2019s \u201cFree Palestine\u201d speech on stage at MetLife stadium in New Jersey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In a two-minute speech on 4 September, the Grammy<\/a>-winning artist told the audience he wanted the people of Gaza and \u201cthe occupied West Bank\u201d to know \u201cwe have not forgotten about them\u201d, prompting owners of subsequent stadium tour venues \u2013 including Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots<\/a> and a prominent supporter of and donor to Israel \u2013 to object to Macklemore<\/a>\u2019s appearance on the tour.<\/p>\n

Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the US leg of Sheeran\u2019s tour, confirmed<\/a> Macklemore\u2019s removal from the eight planned subsequent dates on Monday; hours later, Macklemore posted a lengthy statement reiterating his support of Palestine and the people of Gaza and outlining conversations about political activism with Sheeran, prompting criticism of the English singer\u2019s apolitical stance.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, Sheeran responded with a lengthy Instagram post<\/a> captioned: \u201cIt\u2019s important that I set out some facts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine<\/a>,\u201d he wrote in the first of several bullet-point statements. \u201cThe suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Sheeran, Macklemore<\/a> \u201casked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist\u201d. He went on to say that he allowed the Thrift Shop singer to perform a set list of his choosing, \u201cas with all my support acts\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Seattle-bred rapper, long an outspoken<\/a> supporter<\/a> of the rights of Palestinians and those in Gaza, delivered the brief remarks<\/a> between songs during his first appearance on tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cA big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine,\u201d he said. \u201cI said: Free Palestine! I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank<\/a> know that we have not forgotten about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also played his protest anthem Hind\u2019s Hall, which celebrated protesters\u2019 occupation of a building they named in honor of Hind Rajab<\/a>, a six-year-old killed by the Israeli military<\/a> in 2024, accompanied by images of the Israeli military\u2019s destruction of Gaza, which killed<\/a> more than 75,000 people in 16 months, according to some estimates.<\/p>\n

At the second of his appearances at MetLife on 5 September, Macklemore reiterated his support for Palestine<\/a> and addressed Jewish members of the audience: \u201cCriticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following those comments, which prompted the Israeli American Council to launch a petition<\/a> calling for Macklemore\u2019s removal from the tour, US venues communicated to Sheeran that they would refuse to host the show if the rapper was still a supporting act.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was informed this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said,\u201d he wrote. Though Sheeran said that he attempted to broker conversations between the promoters, venue owners such as Kraft and activists \u201con both sides\u201d, the \u201cvenue\u2019s and the promoter\u2019s decision was final\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMacklemore coming off tour was the promoter\u2019s decision, it was not mine,\u201d he said. \u201cI would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheeran went on to outline his larger view on the use of his platform, which Macklemore had described the day prior as \u201chis typical apolitical stance\u201d that \u201cwas being challenged in a way it had never been before\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won\u2019t ever change,\u201d he wrote, later adding: \u201cI choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep the conversations open, not closed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not complicit,\u201d he added. \u201cI have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn\u2019t mean I don\u2019t have them, and it doesn\u2019t mean that I don\u2019t care. Nor does it mean that I don\u2019t support causes in my own, personal way.\u201d<\/p>\n

As of now, the North American leg of Sheeran\u2019s tour will conclude in November at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, which earlier this year hosted two shows by Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, who has a history<\/a> of<\/a> antisemitic<\/a> statements<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so,\u201d Sheeran concluded his post. \u201cI know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.\u201d<\/p>\n