LONDON, 18 Sept. - (ANA) - British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran should "find a moral compass" and stand up to wealthy supporters of Israel's war on Gaza, an artists' advocacy group has told The New Arab, following rapper Macklemore's exit from Sheeran's US stadium tour.

 

Artists for Palestine UK condemned Sheeran after Macklemore said he had been removed from the remainder of the singer's Loop tour amid pressure over his pro-Palestine stance.

 

The group, which has received backing from figures including actor Brian Cox, former Loose Women panellist Nadia Sawalha and singer Charlotte Church, said it supported "Palestinian calls for Ed Sheeran to cancel the rest of his now compromised US tour".

 

"We urge Sheeran to find a moral compass and stand up to billionaire-supporters of genocide and apartheid," Artists for Palestine UK told The New Arab.

 

"While artists certainly come under enormous pressure to be silent about the ongoing genocide, Macklemore continues to build an audience of millions precisely because he speaks truth to power," the group added.

 

It praised Macklemore's sustained advocacy for Palestinians through his music and public statements about the situation facing Palestinians under Israeli occupation.

 

The rapper has been notably vocal since releasing his 2024 track 'Hind's Hall', which was inspired by pro-Palestine student protests at universities across the United States over Israel's war on Gaza.

 

"His statement [on Monday] makes clear that artists of his profile and wealth, and of Ed Sheeran's profile and wealth, are well placed to take a lead in refusing to bow to wealthy bullies," Artists for Palestine UK said.

 

Macklemore said in a social media post that he had been removed from the remainder of Sheeran's Loop tour after allegedly being warned against performing.

 

He also stressed that the controversy should not overshadow the suffering of Palestinians in the occupied territories.

 

The announcement followed a series of onstage statements by Macklemore in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including calls for a "free Palestine".

Philippines shootingHis departure prompted widespread criticism from pro-Palestine supporters online, including calls for Sheeran to address the decision.

 

Robert Kraft, the pro-Israel billionaire owner of the New England Patriots whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, reportedly contacted Sheeran and said the rapper would not be allowed to perform at the venue.

 

Artists for Palestine UK criticised the influence of wealthy pro-Israel figures over the arts, saying they try to restrict freedom of expression and criticism of Israel.

 

"Billionaires like Robert Kraft and Miriam Adelson are destroying the planet, funding political misinformation and genocidal policies against Palestinians in Gaza - and trying to shut down freedom of expression in the arts," the group told The New Arab.

 

"This level of crude and deeply anti-democratic censorship should be resisted by Sheeran and by all of us, together, for the sake of Palestine, but also for the sake of communities everywhere."

 

 

 

 

Ms Rachel, a children's educator, entertainer and human rights activist, also criticised Sheeran in an Instagram post.

 

"Ed Sheeran had an opportunity to show that we won't be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine," she wrote. "Instead, he caved to people who refuse to accept what the world knows. A genocide is happening in Gaza."

 

Climate activist Greta Thunberg also expressed solidarity with the Grammy-winning rapper on social media.

 

"Full solidarity and free Palestine. Artists' very active silence in the face of injustice and genocide will not be forgotten," she wrote.

 

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, has also received support from fellow musicians, including Irish rap trio Kneecap.

 

Responding to his Monday post, Kneecap wrote: "Free Palestine. They can never silence the truth."

 

The group also shared a photograph with Macklemore, captioned: "All love and solidarity to @macklemore. FREE PALESTINE."

 

Rock band Garbage also criticised the decision, describing Macklemore's removal as "sheer madness".

 

"This is so wildly unjust. Can I remind everyone that nothing Macklemore actually said was violent or hateful or remotely radical," the band wrote.

 

"Those who exile, silence and censor others are never the good guys. No matter what you tell yourself. Just because you ignore the truth doesn't make the truth go away or make it any less potent. It is all so utterly obscene."

 

 

 

 

Criticism of Sheeran has also drawn attention to his previous public support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion in 2022.

 

Posts resurfacing on social media included a video of Sheeran responding to Ukrainian band Antytila, whose members had joined the war effort following Russia's invasion.

 

In the clip, filmed ahead of Sheeran's appearance at the 'Concert for Ukraine' benefit event in Birmingham, the singer told the band and the people of Ukraine: "I love you, I stand with you."

 

Sheeran later headlined the fundraiser, collaborated with Antytila frontman Taras Topolya on a reworked version of his song '2step' and donated royalties from the track to a humanitarian appeal for Ukraine.

 

British lawyer Shola Mos-Shogbamimu criticised what she described as a contrast between Sheeran's response to Ukraine and his position on Palestine.

 

"Ed Sheeran saying 'I Stand With Ukraine' is being 'apolitical'?" she wrote in an X post. "Not taking sides uh? But when it comes to genocide of Palestinians you side with the oppressor Israel."

 

 

 

 

In a lengthy Instagram post, Sheeran defended himself against the continued backlash, asserting that he does not use his professional platform for politics.

 

The famed singer said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine" and framed the nearly three-year Israeli war on Gaza as "suffering and pain caused on both sides".

 

However, Sheeran stressed that he does not publicly share his personal views, despite his previous public statements of support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion.

 

"I am not complicit," his statement read. "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 he said was why he does not use his stage for political statements.

 

He also said the decision to remove Macklemore from the tour was made by the promoted and venues hosting upcoming concert dates, rather than by him.

 

Sheeran confirmed Macklemore's account that venues had contacted him to say they would cancel the gigs if the rapper remained involved.

 

He said he was "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."

 

Despite his reluctance to speak publicly about Palestine, Sheeran said he respected Macklemore's "strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes".

 

However, he also argued that "there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace".

 

He concluded: "If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. There are different approaches to being an advocate for change." - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/18 September 2026 - -