India, Sept. 15 -- Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's US tour after his pro-Palestinian comments onstage sparked backlash from Jewish groups and pro-Israel organisations. The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had been opening for Sheeran on his Loop Tour. But after repeatedly speaking about Gaza and saying Free Palestine during two concerts earlier this month, his involvement in the remaining shows came under scrutiny.

Macklemore has now confirmed that he has been removed from the tour. In a statement on Monday, he defended his comments, said the Palestinian people in Gaza are the real victims and acknowledged the difficult position Sheeran was in.

Sheeran, however, has not publicly commented on Macklemore's remov...