Ed Sheeran is reportedly “seriously upset” over the fallout of Macklemore being dropped from his tour following his pro-Palestine speech.
The singer, 35, has faced much scrutiny for continuing with his Loop tour, which has seen a huge drop in ticket prices, despite his good friend Macklemore being axed.
His four other opening acts have since quit in solidarity with Macklemore, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga.
Sheeran insisted he was “not complicit” in the US rapper’s exit and was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” but was not willing to “abandon” his crew and support acts.
Now, sources have claimed he is “absolutely furious” at being placed under scrutiny and feels “thrown under the bus” by his friends.
“This felt very unfair on Ed and he’s understandably pretty hurt and angry that this has now begun to overshadow the tour,” an insider told the Daily Mail.
The source added: “Even though Ed is a very mild-mannered guy he will speak his mind when he has to. He’ll be absolutely furious at being put in this situation.
“He’s been thrown under a bus by several people he considers friends.”
The outlet did not clarify which friends the source was referring to. Sheeran is long-time friends with the Irish folk group Beoga, who helped create his hit song, Galway Girl, and had been performing with him at every concert.
He has also known Macklemore for 13 years. The Standard has contacted Sheeran’s representative for comment.
The controversy began when Macklemore gave a two-minute speech at his New Jersey show earlier this month, saying he wanted the people of Gaza and “the occupied West Bank” to know “we have not forgotten about them”.
He then launched into protest song Hind’s Hall, which condemns Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and was dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University. Images of the devastation in Gaza were shown whilst he performed.
Macklemore told the crowd that a large reason why he signed on to the tour was for the opportunity to speak on the ongoing conflict.
The following day, at his second appearance at the MetLife Stadium, he reiterated his previous message with a direct address to Jewish members in the audience.
“Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality,” he said.
Shortly after his remarks, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition asking Sheeran and his management to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates.
On Monday, Macklemore announced he would no longer be playing the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour.
The 43-year-old said that despite his long-standing friendship with Sheeran, “it can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened”.
Macklemore said that billionaire Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft had organised the boycott, rallying other stadium owners who ultimately gave Sheeran the ultimatum: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues”.
“Ed was in a f***** up position,” the rapper wrote. “He knew it. His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it had never been before.”
The following day, Sheeran issued a statement of his own, where he confirmed that Kraft had issued an ultimatum.
“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.”
He said his audiences often include children and young people “from all backgrounds”, which is why he does not use the stage for politics. Sheeran has also stepped up police presence at his next gig, which is in Philadelphia on Saturday amid planned pro-Palestine protests.
Macklemore has since donated his one million-dollar (£747,328) tour net earnings to charities supporting Palestinian people, and challenged Kraft, who reportedly called for his removal from the tour, to do the same.
