Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Over Israel Comments

Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's US stadium tour due to his onstage comments about Israel and Palestine.In his two appearances opening for Sheeran at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Labor Day weekend, Macklemore used his platform to advocate for a free Palestine and perform "Hind's Hall," his 2024 song in support of student protestors at Columbia University. At the second MetLife show, he clarified, "To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you." His remarks sparked a petition from the Israeli American Council demanding Sheeran drop Macklemore from the eight upcoming tour dates he's scheduled to open. The petition asserted that Macklemore's message "relies on selective imagery, biased messaging, and disputed claims presented to a massive audience as fact, without context or complexity." Macklemore also drew condemnation from his music industry peer Pink, who faced backlash for sharing a social media post critical of Macklemore and denying that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza.Now, Macklemore has been removed from the remainder of the tour. Messina Touring Group, prom...