The fallout over rapper Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s "Loop” tour has widened into a debate over artists’ right to speak about Palestine, with four of Sheeran’s supporting acts withdrawing from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Irish folk group Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham and Finneas – Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator – all announced they would leave the tour following Macklemore’s removal from the remaining U.S. dates.

Macklemore was dropped after making pro-Palestinian remarks during a Sept. 5 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where he said "Free Palestine” while introducing his protest song "Hind’s Hall.”

The Grammy-winning rapper has repeatedly spoken in support of Palestinians since Israel’s war in Gaza began in 2023. He released "Hind’s Hall” in 2024 and later followed it with "Hind’s Hall 2,” with proceeds going to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

Musicians back Macklemore

Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking about oppressed people as he announced his withdrawal from the tour.

"Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas wrote on Instagram. "I stand with Palestine and its people.”

Rowe, who was due to replace Macklemore on some of the remaining U.S. dates, said he could not remain on the tour while artists were being silenced for speaking about Gaza.

"As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” Rowe said, adding that he could not "stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up.”

Beoga, which has performed alongside Sheeran during his tour, also withdrew, citing Ireland’s history.

"We are Irish people who understand colonialism,” the group said. "As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be.”

Lukas Graham also announced its departure, saying artists should be free to discuss war and civilian suffering.

"Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation,” the band said. "Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.”

The four departures leave Sheeran’s remaining tour dates without the supporting acts originally scheduled to perform alongside him.

Pink clarifies her position

Singer Pink has also been drawn into the dispute after resharing a post criticizing Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments and calling for him to be removed from Sheeran’s tour.

The repost prompted backlash, leading Pink to publish a lengthy Instagram statement clarifying that the original post contained language she had not written herself.

"That said things in words I didn’t write and I wouldn’t have chosen all of them,” Pink wrote. "I’d rather be disagreed with for what I actually said than hated for what anybody else wrote, so let me say it.”

The singer also addressed assumptions about her views based on her Jewish identity.

"I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it,” she wrote, adding that people had decided what she believed "without asking me” or looking at her previous statements and actions.

Sheeran says decision not his

Sheeran has said Macklemore’s removal was not his decision but that of the tour promoters and venues.

"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram.

The British singer said he had spoken with venues throughout the week in an effort to find a solution but that the decision was final. He also said he did not want his concerts to become political forums.

"I have personal views about this devastating conflict, but I choose not to speak publicly about them,” Sheeran said, adding that people attending his shows "do not expect a political forum.”

Sheeran said he respected Macklemore’s determination to speak about issues he believes in but preferred to use his own platform differently.

"I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed,” he said.

His comments have nevertheless drawn criticism, with Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and activist group Humanti Project saying, "Ed, there is only one victim here: the Palestinian people.”

Social media users have also resurfaced videos of Sheeran publicly supporting Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022, questioning how his stated preference to remain outside political discussions over Gaza fits with his previous public expressions of solidarity with Ukraine.

Kraft defends removal

Billionaire Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, has defended the decision to prevent Macklemore from performing at the venue.

Kraft said Macklemore’s recent comments and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery had been "deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”

Macklemore, however, has rejected the suggestion that his criticism of Israel amounts to criticism of Jewish people.

During his MetLife Stadium performance, he addressed Jewish members of the audience directly, saying: "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you.”

Sheeran’s "Loop” tour is scheduled to continue with his remaining North American stadium dates.