An Irish radio station has taken Ed Sheeran off the airwaves following “the reaction from our listeners” to Macklemore being dropped from the singer's tour.
The controversy began when Macklemore told concertgoers at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey that he wanted those in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
“My message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality,” the 43-year-old rapper said.
“So I say free Palestine, I say free Lebanon, I say free Cuba, I say free Congo, free Sudan, I say free all people in America living in fear of this terrorist organisation, ICE. None of us will be free until we’re all free.”
Macklemore was later axed as a support act, with the rapper claiming that Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft had given Sheeran an ultimatum: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
Sheeran said it was the promoter’s decision to drop Macklemore from the tour, and said he had his own “personal views on this devastating conflict”, but would not be speaking publicly about them.
Every support act on Sheeran’s current Loop tour, including Irish artist Aaron Rowe and Sheeran’s own backing band Beoga, subsequently withdrew from all remaining dates.
Classic Hits Radio has now confirmed it will no longer play tracks by the “Galway Girl” artist for the "foreseeable future" after receiving listener feedback regarding the fallout.
Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, which runs the station, said: “Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered.
“It is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.
“As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.
“Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views.
“In light of the strength of feeling expressed by our listeners and the decisions taken by Irish artists involved in the tour, we believe removing Ed Sheeran’s music from our playlist is the appropriate decision for Classic Hits Radio at this time.”
The station said the decision to drop the British singer’s music would remain “under review”.
Macklemore has now donated his US $1 million (£747,328) tour net earnings to charities supporting Palestinian people, and challenged Kraft to match his donation.
Addressing Kraft, he added that “whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this, Palestinian lives are worth protecting, a Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth”.
The businessman has since responded saying Sheeran had asked him to match his $2 million donation before Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, announced his pledge.
Kraft said in a statement on Instagram: “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.
“Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit two million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.
“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.
“In addition, I’d like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs and forge relationships.”
In a previous statement shared by Kraft, the businessman said his decision to ban the US rapper following his comments on stage were down to a “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community”.
Sheeran’s next performance is scheduled for 19 September at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where Graham and Rowe had been due to open for him.
He has 17 dates still left on the tour across North and South America, with the final show scheduled for 11 December in Mexico City.
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