Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour over ‘Free Palestine’ performances

Rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. “Loop Tour” after multiple venues refused to host concerts with him on the lineup. This decision followed Macklemore's performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he led chants of “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, stated that venues would not allow concerts with Macklemore, which would have led to the tour's cancellation. Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, confirmed his objection, stating, “Advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas.” The Israeli-American Council, which launched a petition for his removal, applauded the decision, asserting that Macklemore “does not have the right to peddle his poison on stage.” Macklemore, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, stated that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners to give Sheeran an ultimatum, leading to his removal from the remaining eight U.S. dates.