Ed Sheeran's tour implodes after Macklemore dropped for pro-Palestinian remarks

Sheeran's Loop US tour has collapsed into a culture-war dispute after rapper Macklemore was removed for pro-Palestinian stage remarks, prompting support acts to quit and protests.

• Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran's Loop US tour on 14 September after calling for "Free Palestine" and performing the protest song Hind's Hall at MetLife Stadium.
• Sheeran said promoter Messina Touring Group made the decision after venues threatened to cancel shows, and that he respects "Macklemore's strength of purpose" but does not use his platform for politics.
• Kraft confirmed he banned Macklemore from Gillette Stadium, calling his remarks hate speech and antisemitic; Macklemore said "there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed."
• Support acts Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga and Aaron Rowe quit the tour, and pro-Palestinian groups plan a protest outside Saturday's Philadelphia show.