Key facts
- Ed Sheeran stated that Messina Touring Group, the promoter of his North American tour, decided to remove Macklemore.
- Macklemore was removed after making pro-Palestinian statements on stage, including "Free Palestine."
- Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, reportedly led a campaign among stadium owners to pressure promoters to drop Macklemore.
- Sheeran said he aims to use his platform for safety and diplomacy, not political statements.
- Macklemore criticized Sheeran's "apolitical stance," stating "there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed."
Ed Sheeran has stated that it was not his decision to remove rapper Macklemore from his current US tour following pro-Palestinian statements made on stage. Sheeran explained on Instagram that the tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, made the final call after venues, including one owned by Robert Kraft, threatened to block the tour if Macklemore remained. Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had publicly called for "Free Palestine" at two concerts in New Jersey, stating he wanted "people of Gaza and the occupied West Bank" to know "we have not forgotten about them." He also played his protest anthem "Hind’s Hall." His comments drew criticism from groups such as the Israeli American Council, which launched a petition for his removal. Sheeran wrote that he agreed to have Macklemore join his tour last year and allowed him to perform his chosen set list. However, he stated that after venues communicated their stance based on how Macklemore conveyed his message, the "venue’s and the promoter’s decision was final." Sheeran added that he tries to use his platform to "bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together" and to be a "place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep the conversations open, not closed." Macklemore had previously criticized Sheeran's "apolitical stance," stating "there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed." Sheeran concluded his post by saying he spent the week trying to build bridges but was unable to find a solution.