India, Sept. 16 -- American rapper Macklemore, best known for Thrift Shop, is no longer part of British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran's remaining US Loop Tour dates after several venues objected to his inclusion following his pro-Palestinian remarks at a New Jersey concert earlier this month. Breaking his silence on Instagram on Monday, Macklemore said venues had informed tour promoter Messina Touring Group that they would not allow him to perform as Sheeran's opening act. "At a certain level of exposure, 'Free Palestine' becomes too much of a risk," he wrote. The controversy began at MetLife Stadium on September 4, when Macklemore shouted "Free Palestine" while introducing his protest song Hind's Hall. Addressing the backlash later, he said his criticism of Israel was not directed at Jewish people. "My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality," he said. Macklemore has spoken in support of Palestinians for years and released Hind's Hall in 2024 amid pro-Palestinian student protests in the US. Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts was among the venues that objected to his appearance, with owner Robert Kraft citing what he described as a "broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery". Sheeran has not publicly commented till the time of going to press. Macklemore, however, said there was no bad blood between the two. "As I told Ed multiple times on the phone, our friendship can't change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened," he wrote. The rapper had been due to open at eight of the remaining 10 shows on Sheeran's US leg, which resumes on September 19 in Philadelphia. HTC...