Ms. Rachel slams Ed Sheeran over Macklemore’s tour exit

Ms. Rachel has criticised Ed Sheeran after Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour following the rapper’s pro-Palestinian comments.

The educator and YouTuber, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, addressed Macklemore’s departure in posts on Instagram. She accused Sheeran of giving in to pressure from venue owners who objected to Macklemore’s comments supporting Palestine.

“Ed Sheeran had an opportunity [to] show that we won’t be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine,” Accurso wrote, adding that she believes people should speak out about the situation in Gaza.

Macklemore later said he and Sheeran had several difficult conversations that ended in a fundamental disagreement. He claimed Sheeran had been given an ultimatum by Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, that the singer would not be allowed to perform at its venues if Macklemore remained on the tour.

Kraft subsequently confirmed that he was involved in the decision, citing concerns about hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Ms. Rachel has previously spoken publicly about anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic rhetoric. In another Instagram post, she questioned how people might view the decision years from now and highlighted the number of children killed in Gaza, citing figures from the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Sheeran’s representative had been contacted for comment.