US rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from British pop star Ed Sheeran’s tour after making anti-Israel comments during his performances, announced Thursday he will instead perform on his own “Free Palestine Tour.”

It was the latest development in controversy that has grown since the “Thrift Shop” star was booted from the US tour, a decision Sheeran said was made by tour promoters, not him, provoking outrage among pro-Palestinian musicians and activists.

Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the US leg of Sheeran’s tour, told Rolling Stone in a statement that host venues had told the company they would not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup.

Macklemore, who was opening for Sheeran’s “Loop Tour,” especially drew criticism from Jewish and Israeli advocacy organizations for performing his 2024 song, “Hind’s Hall,” which accuses Israel of apartheid and genocide. The rapper also showed footage from Gaza, images of Israeli soldiers, and pro-Palestinian messages on screens behind him.

“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage,” Macklemore, 43, wrote on social media.

“When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention,” he added.

Macklemore was referring to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, the billionaire and philanthropist who is a prominent supporter of Israel and Jewish causes and has donated millions of dollars to them over the years. He has become a powerful voice against antisemitism........

© The Times of Israel