Macklemore responds to call for removal from Ed Sheeran tour over Gaza comment
Macklemore has stood by comments he made on Ed Sheeran’s tour (Niall Carson/PA)
American rapper Macklemore has stood by his “Free Palestine” message on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following calls for him to be removed.
The performer, 43, opened for Sheeran at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday and told the audience he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten amid the conflict with Israel.
His words sparked a petition from the Israeli American Council, a non-profit group that seeks to unite the Israeli-American community, demanding he be removed from the remaining dates of the tour.
The petition said: “This was an Ed Sheeran concert – not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event.
“The issue is not whether Macklemore has the right to hold political views. The question is where the line should be drawn when an opening act uses a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda.”
Macklemore posted a video of himself on stage during Sheeran’s show on Monday and wrote: “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.”
During his time on stage, he said: “I’ve been trying to figure out a way to say this all day.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.
“I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people from Gaza all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.”
The rapper also said his support of Palestine and criticism of Israel should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish people.
He said: “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.
“My message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.”
Macklemore was among more than 1,100 artists, musicians and cultural workers who called for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest this year 2026 over the inclusion of Israel.
The letter, co-ordinated by campaign group No Music For Genocide, was also signed by artists including Paloma Faith, Massive Attack, Paul Weller and Kneecap.
