Ed Sheeran says it was 'not my decision' to drop Macklemore from tour
The star says tour promoters took the decision, after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian statements on stage.
Ed Sheeran and Macklemore, pictured in 2014, have been friends for 13 years, the rapper said in his statement on Monday
Ed Sheeran has posted a long statement on Instagram, saying it was not his decision to drop Macklemore from his current US tour.
The US rapper - whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty - was ejected from the line-up after making pro-Palestinian statements at two dates in New Jersey.
The Israeli American Council launched a petition demanding his removal from the tour; while the campaign group StopAntisemitism said the musician had ambushed fans with propaganda - a claim that was amplified by the pop star Pink, who reposted it on Instagram.