Ed Sheeran responds following row surrounding Macklemore's departure from tour

Ed Sheeran has issued a statement following the removal of US rapper Macklemore as his tour support act, saying there is a reason he does not use his professional platform for politics.

It comes after Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, claimed he had been taken off the British star's tour as pro-Palestinian comments he made on stage during a show in New Jersey prompted a backlash online, including from singer Pink.

Now, after receiving criticism himself, a lengthy statement has been issued on Sheeran's official Instagram page. The singer-songwriter said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine" and described the "suffering and pain caused on both sides" as a human tragedy, but said he chooses not to speak about his own views publicly.

"I am not complicit," the statement said. "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."

Sheeran said his audiences often include children and young people "from all backgrounds", which is why he does not use the stage for politics.

The statement also said the decision to remove Macklemore from the tour came from the promoter and was not his own.

Following the show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, venues for upcoming concert dates got in touch to say they would pull the gigs if Macklemore was still involved, Sheeran continued, adding he was told this stance was based "on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message... rather than on everything that was said".

Macklemore had been supporting Sheeran, 35, on the US leg of his Loop Tour. During the show in New Jersey, he told the crowd he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten, which led to a petition demanding he be removed from the remaining dates.

Pink was among those criticising his actions, writing on Instagram: "Last weekend he stood in front of a stadium full of music-loving families, with violent images from a war on the screens, dedicated a song to the movement of his choice, and then took the mic to tell all of the Jews in the stadium that it wasn't about them.

"You don't get to decide that for us."

After posting a video of himself on stage during the concert, Macklemore said on social media that "wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial".

On Monday, he confirmed he had been taken off Sheeran's tour, and received support from artists including Kneecap, CMAT and Paloma Faith.

Sheeran: 'I would never let down fans'

Sheeran shared his own statement on Tuesday, saying it was "important to set out some facts".

His statement said: "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 these people was Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where Sheeran is due to play later in September, the statement said.

"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," Sheeran continued.

"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."

The singer went on to say he 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".

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

"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."

Sheeran said he respected Macklemore's "strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes" but that "there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace".

He concluded by saying: "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."

In a statement provided on Monday to NBC News, Sky News' US partner network, Mr Kraft said the decision on his venues was reached following Macklemore's comments and "a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community".

He said: "This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real."

Macklemore's advocacy "should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas," Mr Kraft added.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ed Sheeran responds following row surrounding Macklemore's departure from tour