PACBI calls on Ed Sheeran to cancel his U.S. tour after Macklemore's removal
Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of IsraelPalestinian academic and cultural boycott campaign, in a statement published on the BDS Movement website
PACBI called on Ed Sheeran to cancel his U.S. tour and, until he does, asked opening artists, audience members and, where possible, crew members to boycott it. It said Sheeran and his team removed Macklemore for saying "Free Palestine" on stage, and called this a perpetuation of anti-Palestinian racist talking points.
“Ed Sheeran and his team removed long-time friend and prominent artist Macklemore from his US tour for saying “Free Palestine” on stage, reportedly on the pretext that those words, and the Palestinian flag, are “hurtful” to some. This a perpetuation of anti-Palestinian racist talking points – coming from one of the world’s biggest artists.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech and removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour
At two Ed Sheeran concerts at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a free Palestine, accused Israel of apartheid and genocide, and said criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people. After venue objections, tour promoter Messina Touring Group said he would not perform the remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates. Critics characterized the performance as hostile or inappropriate; Macklemore defended it as a call for equal treatment.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Statement by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, published on the BDS Movement website on September 14, 2026, calling on Ed Sheeran to cancel his U.S. tour after Macklemore's removal. A response to Sheeran's own statement was added on September 15.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
PACBI published the call after Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour. The page quotes Macklemore as saying there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.
After the quotation
On September 15, PACBI added a response to Sheeran's own statement on the same page, repeating its call for him to reinvite Macklemore or cancel the tour.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case looks at Macklemore's speech and the response to it. PACBI says he was removed for saying "Free Palestine" and calls that a perpetuation of anti-Palestinian racist talking points. Elsewhere the statement says he has spoken out bravely and consistently. That defends the speech and rejects the removal, so we labeled it Defended or excused.
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- People and groups discussed
- Ed Sheeran, Robert Kraft
More from this case
Read the full caseMacklemore says the "billionaire class" should not decide "which voices are allowed on stage"
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. 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. So we're going on tour. All proceeds will benefit organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement.”Read statement
Jewish Voice for Peace says the backlash to Macklemore's removal shows support for pro-Palestine speech
Jewish Voice for Peace
“Two years into Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestine organizing, the backlash against Sheeran shows how little patience Americans have for attacks on pro-Palestine speech. It also demonstrates the shift toward support for Palestinian rights among everyday Americans that our movements have helped propel.”Read statement
Macklemore announces "Free Palestine Tour" after removal from U.S. dates
“To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "PACBI calls on Ed Sheeran to cancel his U.S. tour after Macklemore's removal". First published: 2026-09-30. Last updated: 2026-09-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/3401-pacbi-called-on-ed-sheeran-to-cancel-his