Ed Sheeran, the pop music star, announced on Tuesday that the removal of Macklemore, the American rapper, from his US tour is related to the tour organizers' decision, not his own choice. This action followed Macklemore's pro-Palestinian statements at a concert in New Jersey on September 4.
Reasons for Macklemore's removal
Ed Sheeran said in an Instagram post: "Macklemore's removal from the tour was the organizer's decision, not mine." The tour organizing group, Messina Touring Group, informed the media that the owners of the concert venues in the United States had notified them that they would not allow concerts featuring Macklemore.
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Macklemore and his political stances
Macklemore, who has always held pro-Palestinian positions and criticized Israel's attacks on Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank, released a song titled "Hind's Hall" in 2024, which is depicted as a protest anthem in support of pro-Palestinian protesters and in memory of the five-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Ed Sheeran also expressed that he respects Macklemore's "willpower" to stand up and express his views, but added that his approach is to not use his "professional platform for politics." He stated that venues have warned them that if Macklemore is present, they will cancel the concerts.
Macklemore has faced support from pro-Palestinian advocacy groups and some politicians. On the other hand, pro-Israel groups and American singer Pink, who is Jewish, have accused him of criticizing his positions and stated that such statements at concerts could endanger the safety of Jews and supporters of Israel.
They also referenced an outfit that Macklemore wore in 2014, which included a black hat, fake beard, and nose, which critics have linked to anti-Semitic stereotypes. Macklemore later apologized for that outfit.
On Monday, Macklemore did not consider his statements at the concert to be anti-Semitic and said that merging criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism is a way to evade accountability for Israel.
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