Key facts
- Rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour after making pro-Palestinian comments.
- Macklemore stated that the Palestinian people in Gaza are the real victims.
- He made the comments, including saying "Free Palestine," at concerts on September 4 and 5.
- Macklemore performed his song "Hind's Hall," which condemns Israel's military action in Gaza.
- The Israeli-American Council urged Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour.
- Singer Pink reposted criticism of Macklemore and later explained her stance.
Rapper Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour after making pro-Palestinian statements during his opening performances. Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, confirmed his departure from the tour, stating that the Palestinian people in Gaza are the real victims.
The controversy began on September 4 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Macklemore told the audience, "Free Palestine" and performed his song "Hind's Hall," which criticizes Israel's military actions in Gaza. Video footage of the devastation in Gaza was shown on screen during the performance.
Following the initial performance, the campaign group StopAntisemitism criticized Macklemore, stating that "Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing... not to be ambushed by Macklemore's anti-Israel propaganda." The following night, Macklemore addressed "Jewish brothers and sisters" in the audience, asserting that criticism of Israel, apartheid, and genocide is not criticism of them.
Israel maintains that its military operations in Gaza and the West Bank are self-defense and conducted in accordance with international law. The Israeli military launched its campaign in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 73,780 people have been killed in Gaza during Israel's military campaign.
The Israeli-American Council also urged Sheeran to remove Macklemore, calling the concert "not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event." In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Macklemore explained that after "difficult conversations" with Sheeran, they reached "a place of fundamental disagreement," leading to his removal.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group informed Rolling Stone that venues indicated they would not permit Macklemore to perform, which would have led to the tour's cancellation. Macklemore expressed empathy for Sheeran's position but criticized him for not taking a stance, noting that "there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed." He also addressed accusations of antisemitism, suggesting that conflating criticism of Israel with hatred of Jewish people does not protect Jewish people but rather shields Israel from accountability.
US singer Pink was also drawn into the controversy after reposting criticism of Macklemore. She later posted a statement explaining her criticism of Macklemore's on-stage conduct, stating he "took the mic to tell all of the Jews in the stadium that it wasn't about them."