Macklemore has revealed he’ll be donating $1m of his net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to charities supporting Palestinian people – with both Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft now reportedly pledging double that each. The Grammy-winning rapper was dropped from Sheeran’s tour this week, due to comments he’d made on stage in support of Palestine. While on stage in New Jersey earlier this month, Macklemore said: “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘free Palestine’. I said, ‘free Palestine!’. “I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them.” But when footage from this speech began doing the rounds online, it was met with a divided reaction, with the singer Pink resharing a graphic calling for Macklemore to apologise, and the Israeli American Council setting up a petition calling for the Thrift Store singer’s removal from the tour. Macklemore, left, and Ed Sheeran, right (AP Photo) On Monday night, it was confirmed that Macklemore would no longer be appearing as Sheeran’s opening act effective immediately, with the rapper speaking out shortly afterwards in a lengthy Instagram statement. He spoke of “difficult conversations” he’d had with Sheeran, as well as claiming that the singer had told him Robert Kraft, whose company owns the Gillette Stadium, had said the rapper “would not be able to perform in his stadium”. “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,” said the rapper in his statement. “Ed was in a fucked up position. He knew it. His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before.” (You can read his full statement here.) On Tuesday afternoon, Sheeran then shared a statement on Instagram, telling his followers that he felt it was “important” to “set out some facts”. Writing in bullet points, he explained: “I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.” The singer then said after Macklemore’s performances at his New Jersey shows, venues on his upcoming tour dates “communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting”. “I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge,” said the Lego House singer. “One of those people was Robert Kraft. I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me. I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.” He then insisted: “I have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won’t ever change. Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love and a place for everyone to feel welcome. “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.” (You can see his statement in full here.) Robert Kraft (AP Photo/Doug Benc) Robert Kraft, meanwhile, told Rolling Stone that Macklemore’s removal from Ed’s tour was based on “recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community”. This is seemingly a reference to an incident in 2014, when Macklemore performed in an outfit many critics claimed was inspired by antisemitic tropes and imagery. The rapper later apologised, insisting this had not been his intention. “I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same – peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate,” Kraft added. On Tuesday night, Sheeran’s backing band and the remaining support acts on his ongoing world tour announced they had pulled out. Musicians Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Finneas all shared statements claiming they had withdrawn from the tour, with the latter saying: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” Finneas (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) On Wednesday, Macklemore then revealed he’d be donating the entire $1 million of his net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organisations supporting the Palestinian people, while inviting Robert Kraft to match his donation. “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,” said the rapper. “This is what it has always been about. Not me. Not a tour. Not the headlines or the controversy. It is about Palestinians’ right to freedom, dignity and safety in their own homeland.” Kraft and Sheeran have also reportedly pledged $2 million each towards humanitarian relief for Palestinians. Sharing a statement on the Gillette Stadium X account, Kraft said: “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 $2 million to match his donation to aid the region in fighting 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.” Related... Ed Sheeran's Support Acts And Backing Band Pull Out Of Tour After Macklemore Controversy Ed Sheeran Breaks Silence After Macklemore Is Dropped From His Tour Macklemore Speaks Out After Being Dropped From Ed Sheeran's Tour Over Palestine Support