Ed Sheeran on Dropping Macklemore From Tour Over Palestine Remarks: “The Promoter’s Decision, Not Mine”

Ed Sheeran issued a statement on dropping Macklemore from his ongoing Loop Tour following backlash the rapper had faced over his pro-Palestine statements, saying on Instagram, “It’s important that I set out some facts.“

“I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” his statement shared on his social media on Tuesday reads. “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.“

He then reiterated, “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,“ Sheeran wrote. “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.“

Sheeran then explained why he chooses to not share his political opinions publicly: “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.“

He added, “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.“

Sheeran then noted that though he has “spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately“ he “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.“

Sheeran’s tour promoter Messina Touring Group first confirmed Macklemore’s removal from the tour on Monday morning, stating that “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.”

Macklemore said in his own statement that New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft had called Sheeran himself, telling him he wouldn’t allow Macklemore to play at his venue, and that the owner “had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

Sheeran faced intense backlash over the matter online, as critics argued the “Shape of You” singer bowed to pressure in an effort to avoid addressing a polarizing issue rather than take a stance himself.

Macklemore first saw major backlash earlier this month after giving a Free Palestine speech during a performance on the Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium. Beyond Kraft, who’s Jewish and has long been vocal in his support of Israel, Macklemore faced significant pushback from groups like the Anti-Defamation League and The Israeli-American Council over his Free Palestine claims, the latter of whom launched a petition calling to get Macklemore booted from the tour.

Macklemore said Sheeran was as in a fucked up position,” and that the singer’s “typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before.”

“He told me that the words “Free Palestine” and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with,” Macklemore wrote. “I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood. But he couldn’t get past his public facing, ‘I don’t take sides.’”

He said he understood why Sheeran wouldn’t want to take a stance himself, but further argued that “when one side has the bombs and bottomless financial and military support from America, refusing to take a side doesn’t leave you in the middle.”

Also among Macklemore’s critics was Pink, who herself faced major backlash for resharing a post calling for Macklemore to get kicked off the tour. She subsequently shared an extensive comment of her own, writing that she was “standing up for my own people.” She also recalled the costume Macklemore had worn back in 2014 that was widely criticized as antisemitic, which she’d suggested made his comments more concerning.

Macklemore apologized for the costume at the time and has repeatedly said his views on Palestine aren’t rooted in antisemitism. On Monday, Macklemore further addressed the claims, stating that “antisemitism is real” but that when saying ‘Free Palestine’ gets conflated with hatred of Jewish people, it doesn’t protect Jewish people. It protects Israel from accountability.”

The situation with Macklemore reflects how fraught addressing the situation in Gaza remains in Hollywood. Irish rap group Kneecap, for example, faced intense backlash last year after Coachella for sharing a message that said “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine.” English punk-rap duo Bob Vylan faced controversy of their own after chanting “death to the IDF” during their Glastonbury set, getting dropped by their agency UTA while the festival itself deplored the chant. Cornell canceled a Kehlani concert for the university’s annual Slope Day over her pro-Palestine views last year as well, saying that her selection “injected division and discord” into the event.