Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour following his vocal support for Palestine

U.S. rapper Macklemore was told he could no longer take part in Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour because of his pro-Palestinian stance, the U.S. rapper said Monday.

The artist called out "Free Palestine" and told the crowd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey that he wanted the people of Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten. That led to accusations of antisemitism amongst some, as well as calls for him to be removed, including from singer Pink.

"We have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans," said a statement from Messina Touring Group, which is promoting Sheeran's U.S. Loop Tour.

"After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates."

Macklemore said on Instagram he hoped the decision would not affect his relationship with his "friend" Sheeran, who he said was in a difficult position. "His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before," he wrote. "I hope this isn't the end my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn't disappear because of one painful disagreement.

"But if those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I've ever been on."

More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza war, which Israel launched in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack.

Macklemore, known for hits including "Thrift Shop" and "Can't Hold Us," has long taken a stand in support of the Palestinians.

In 2024, he released "Hind's Hall," which pays tribute to Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl whose death sparked a wave of international outrage.