Ed Sheeran speaks out after Macklemore pulled from tour following 'Free Palestine' comment

Ed Sheeran has responded after Macklemore criticised his handling of the fallout from his pro-Palestinian speech.

The 'Thrift Shop' star shared a fiery message on Instagram earlier this week after being removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran's Loop tour, following controversy over comments he made on stage while criticising the Israeli government.

The rapper, 43 - real name Benjamin Hammond Haggerty - had been due to perform as an opening act for the British singer.

However, Messina Touring Group, the promotional firm behind the gig, confirmed over the weekend that Macklemore would no longer appear at the remaining shows, saying venues had indicated they would not allow concerts to go ahead with him on the bill.

The decision followed Macklemore's appearance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4 September, when he used part of his set to voice his support for Palestinians.

During the speech, he said, 'Free Palestine!', telling residents of Gaza and the occupied West Bank that they had not been forgotten amidst hostilities with Israel. He also performed his protest track 'Hind's Hall' while images relating to the destruction in Gaza were shown on the stadium screens.

The remarks subsequently prompted criticism from some pro-Israel groups, including StopAntisemitism and the Israeli American Council. The latter called for Macklemore to be removed from the tour, after which the star shared a statement, condemning Sheeran's part in the upheaval.

Ed Sheeran's latest comments

Sheeran has since responded to Macklemore's public stance on the situation.

Taking to social media this afternoon (15 Sept), he penned: "I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

"The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.

"Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist.

"As with all my support acts, I agree that they play a setlist of their choosing."

He continued: "After Macklemore's performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting. I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said.

"I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft. I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue's and promoter's decision was final."

The statement carried on: "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.

"I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.

"I have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won't ever change.

"Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a place for everyone to feel welcome.

"I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care. Nor does it mean I don't support causes in my own, personal way."

Sheeran's statement concluded: "There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics - my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds.

"Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes.

"However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change.

"There are different approaches to being an advocate for change.

"I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too."

Why did Macklemore's words on Palestine face such backlash?

After several antisemitism groups spoke out against Macklemore initial concert remarks, fellow chart-topper Pink also became involved after resharing a post criticising his performance.

In a subsequent statement, Pink - real name Alecia Beth Moore-Hart - said her objection was not to the words 'Free Palestine' themselves, nor to Palestinians advocating for their rights.

Instead, she said she was responding to what she described as a frightening experience for her and other Jewish people in the audience.

"I have never asked for another artist to be silenced and I’m not asking now," Pink - real name Alecia Beth Moore-Hart - wrote. "I don’t need anyone fired, and I don’t need a refund."

She also said she wanted to be able to describe the experience as frightening 'as a Jewish mom' without having that fear interpreted as support for the killing of Palestinians.

Macklemore rejected the idea that he, Sheeran or Pink should be considered the victims of the dispute.

Macklemore's lengthy statement

In a lengthy statement posted on Monday (14 Sept) after his removal from the tour, he wrote: "The victims are the Palestinian people."

He went on to describe Palestinians as having been killed, starved and displaced, while stressing that he wanted the focus to remain on their suffering.

"We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world," Macklemore wrote of himself, Sheeran and Pink. "Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families."

'People are being killed today, and people will be killed tomorrow'

He then turned his attention to what he described as the reality facing Palestinians.

'The men, women and children who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence' were, he wrote, the victims.

Macklemore said he wanted to ensure that the debate surrounding his own career did not eclipse what he considers to be the central issue.

"People are being killed today, and people will be killed tomorrow," he wrote. "I want to make sure that as I tell this story, we don't lose sight of that."

The musician also opened up about his relationship with Sheeran, 35, revealing that the pair had known each other for 13 years and describing the British star as a 'brother', while making clear that their friendship had not changed his political position.

"As I told Ed multiple times on the phone, our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened," he wrote.

According to Macklemore, the decision to remove him followed a week of 'difficult conversations' with the 'Shape of You' singer.

He claimed that Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, had contacted Sheeran and that venues were unwilling to host the tour with Macklemore still on the bill.

Macklemore said this left Sheeran in what he described as a 'f****d up position'.

He also claimed Sheeran told him that the words "Free Palestine" and an image of the Palestinian flag had been hurtful to people he had spoken to.

Macklemore said he responded by pointing to the scale of Palestinian suffering, writing that if those words were considered more offensive than the deaths of Palestinian children, 'there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood'.

He also took issue with what he described as Sheeran's initial reluctance to take a public position.

"But he couldn't get past his public facing, 'I don't take sides'," Macklemore wrote, before questioning why his political speech had become an issue now, saying he had been making similar statements at concerts for almost three years.

"What I said at MetLife I have been saying on stages around the world for almost three years," he wrote. "So why is it an issue now?"

He answered that he was now performing alongside 'one of the biggest artists in the world' at some of the biggest stadiums in America.

'My message is for peace'

At his second MetLife performance, Macklemore had already told Jewish members of the audience that his criticism of Israel and opposition to what he described as genocide was 'in no way' criticism of them.

"My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality," he said.

Pink has similarly maintained that she was not calling for Macklemore to be silenced or removed from the tour.

In her follow-up statement, she told her fans that Palestinians 'deserve a future that honours their humanity and their aspirations', while reiterating that she does not speak for Israel or any government.

The 'What About Us' star said her objection centred on the atmosphere she experienced at the MetLife show, particularly after Macklemore addressed Jewish people in the audience.

"You don't get to decide that for us," Pink wrote of his assertion that his message was not directed at Jewish concertgoers.

Macklemore, however, has remained unequivocal about why he believes speaking out was necessary.

Tyla contacted Ed Sheeran's representatives for comment.