Rapper Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during two performances earlier this month, sparking criticism from Jewish groups and renewed debate over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had been performing as the opening act for Sheeran’s Loop tour. However, the controversy began on September 4 when Macklemore appeared at Sheeran’s concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and used his performance to make a political statement.
Speaking to the stadium audience, Macklemore said one of the main reasons he wanted to join the tour was to stand in front of large crowds and say two words that were important to him: “Free Palestine.”
He then performed his song “Hind’s Hall”, a track that condemns Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Footage showing destruction and devastation in Gaza was displayed on the stadium’s large screens during the performance.
The appearance drew criticism from StopAntisemitism, which accused Macklemore of using Sheeran’s concert to promote what the group described as anti-Israel propaganda.
Macklemore returned to the same venue the following night and addressed Jewish members of the audience directly. He said that criticism of Israel, opposition to apartheid and opposition to genocide should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish people.
He also said he wanted Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to know that they had not been forgotten.
Israel rejects allegations that it is committing genocide, saying its military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are carried out as acts of self-defence and in accordance with international law.
The Israeli military began its campaign in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage during the attack.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 73,780 people have been killed in the territory during Israel’s subsequent military campaign. The figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
Macklemore confirmed on Monday that he had been removed from the remainder of Sheeran’s US tour. In a statement posted on Instagram that ran to nearly 1,000 words, he said he had held a week of “difficult conversations” with Sheeran before the discussions ended in what he described as a “fundamental disagreement”.
He said he understood that Sheeran was in a difficult position but criticised the singer for not publicly taking a position on the conflict.
“Taking a side can cost you,” Macklemore wrote, referring to the potential loss of money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private performances, relationships and professional access. He added that he had already lost those things but believed there was “no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”
Macklemore also addressed accusations of antisemitism, arguing that accusations of antisemitism had been used to silence criticism of Israel.
He said that criticism of Israel, opposition to Zionism or calls to “Free Palestine” should not automatically be equated with hatred of Jewish people.
Despite being removed from the tour after only two performances, Macklemore said he considered the experience worthwhile if his appearance had helped bring attention back to the situation in Palestine.
Sheeran has not publicly commented on Macklemore’s departure, and it remains unclear who will replace him as the opening act for the rest of the tour.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group told Rolling Stone that venues had informed the company they would not allow Macklemore to perform. According to the promoter, this could have resulted in the cancellation of the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.
The dispute has also drawn American singer Pink into the controversy. Pink, who is Jewish, reposted a message criticising Macklemore’s conduct during the performances and subsequently faced significant backlash online.
Critics targeted her position as well as aspects of her personal life and previous comments about female celebrities including Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
Pink later published a lengthy statement explaining her position. She stressed that she did not speak for Israel or any government and said her criticism was directed at Macklemore’s actions during the concert.
She argued that he had stood before a stadium filled with families and music fans while violent images from the war were displayed, dedicated a song to a political movement and then addressed Jewish people in the audience by telling them that his message was not about them.
“You don’t get to decide that for us,” Pink wrote.
She also highlighted Macklemore’s previous support for LGBTQ+ rights, noting that he performed “Same Love” at the 2014 Grammy Awards during a ceremony in which 33 same-sex couples were married on stage.
The dispute over Macklemore’s removal from the tour has further highlighted the tensions surrounding artists speaking publicly about the Israel-Gaza war, particularly when political messages are delivered during major entertainment events.
