# How Israel-Palestine broke up Sheeran-Macklemore

> The implosion of Ed Sheeran's world tour reveals shifting attitudes toward Israel across generations.
- Title: How Israel-Palestine broke up Sheeran-Macklemore · Vox
- Summary: The implosion of Ed Sheeran's world tour reveals shifting attitudes toward Israel across generations. American millennials have grown sharply more critical…
- Keywords: ed sheeran, macklemore, israel, palestine, gaza, robert kraft, gillette stadium, loop tour, antisemitism, millennials, gen z, tour cancellation
- Source: Vox — https://vox.com/today-explained-newsletter/502898/ed-sheeran-macklemore-israel-gaza-controversy
- Author: Caitlin Dewey
- Published: 2026-09-16T21:10:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ed sheeran, macklemore, israel, palestine, gaza, robert kraft, gillette stadium, loop tour, antisemitism, millennials, gen z, tour cancellation
## Macklemore dropped from Sheeran tour
Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's 59-date Loop Tour after venues threatened to cancel shows over his pro-Palestinian advocacy.
## Robert Kraft blocks Boston show
Sports magnate Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, blocked Macklemore from performing there, citing his advocacy and history of antisemitic rhetoric.
## Pink criticizes Macklemore's rhetoric
Artist Pink published a lengthy criticism saying Macklemore's on-stage comments and use of violent wartime imagery had frightened many Jewish people.
## Band and openers quit in protest
Sheeran's backing band and remaining opening acts all pulled out of the tour in protest of the decision to remove Macklemore.
## Millennials drove the Israel shift
American millennials have grown sharply more critical of Israel over the past decade, laying groundwork for Gen Z's pro-Palestinian activism.
## The shift started before Gen Z
Americans under 30 were more likely to blame Israel than Hamas for the 2014 Gaza war. Millennial activists wrapped Palestinian independence into social justice causes.
## Sympathy down across all ages
Sympathy for Israel is down among younger Republicans too. Over the past two years, the sharpest drop has been among Americans ages 35 to 54.
## Key takeaway

American millennials have grown sharply more critical of Israel over the past decade, driving a larger political shift that extends beyond Gen Z activism.