Ed Sheeran issues statement after Macklemore dropped from US tour

Ed Sheeran on Tuesday issued a statement after American rapper Macklemore said he was dropped from the pop star’s US tour following his pro-Palestinian comments and "Free Palestine" remarks during a September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Macklemore wrote on Instagram he and Sheeran had "some difficult conversations ‌this past week.".

In response, Ed Sheeran posted a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, writing "It’s important that I set out some facts."

Messina Touring Group, promoter of the U.S. leg of Sheeran's Loop Tour, told Rolling Stone that venue owners on the upcoming U.S. tour dates notified the promoters they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore in the lineup.

Macklemore has ⁠long been pro-Palestinian and a critic of Israel's assault on Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank.