Macklemore announces the “Free Palestine” tour after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s concerts

American rapper Macklemore announced on Thursday that he will embark on the “Free Palestine” tour after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s concerts following his public statements supporting Palestine. The tour will begin next month in Dublin, Paris and London, while the dates for concerts in the United States and the names of the guest artists will be announced later.

Macklemore said that the proceeds will be donated to organizations supporting the Palestinian people. The artist argued that it is no longer possible for artists to remain apolitical during the war in Gaza and that the stage must be used to draw attention to the situation of Palestinians.

The rapper was scheduled to open eight more of Ed Sheeran’s concerts but was removed from the tour last month after chanting “Free Palestine” at a concert in New Jersey. Macklemore says that stadium owners opposed his messages.

Ed Sheeran said the decision was made by the organizers and that he tried to find a solution. Israel rejects accusations of genocide and says its operations in Gaza are justified by the right to self-defense.