NEW YORK, September 15, 2026 (WAFA) — US rapper Macklemore has been dropped from British singer Ed Sheeran's US tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks during performances earlier this month.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had been the opening act for Sheeran's Loop tour. He drew criticism from Jewish groups after expressing support for Palestine, calling for a "Free Palestine" during two concerts and making political remarks about the situation in Gaza.
The rapper confirmed Monday that he had been removed from the remainder of the tour and stood by his remarks, saying in a statement that the Palestinian people in Gaza are the real victims of the ongoing violence.
Sheeran has not publicly commented on Macklemore's removal, and it remains unclear who will replace him for the rest of the tour.
The controversy began on September 4, when Macklemore performed at Sheeran's concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Addressing the audience, Macklemore said a major reason he wanted to take part in the tour was to use stadium stages to voice his support for Palestine, before declaring, "Free Palestine."
He then performed his song "Hind's Hall," which condemns Israel's military campaign in Gaza, while footage showing the destruction in the Strip was displayed on the stadium's large screen.
The performance drew criticism from StopAntisemitism, a campaign group that accused Macklemore of using the concert to promote what it described as anti-Israel propaganda.
The following night, Macklemore returned to the same stage and addressed Jewish members of the audience, saying that criticism of Israel, apartheid and genocide should not be understood as criticism of Jewish people.
He added that he wanted Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know that they had not been forgotten.
Israel rejects allegations of genocide, saying its military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are conducted in self-defense and in accordance with international law.
The Israeli military launched its offensive on the Gaza Strip following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 others being taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
More than 73,780 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the Israeli offensive on October 7.
K.T
