American rapper Macklemore announced on Thursday that he will headline a “Free Palestine” concert tour beginning next month, following his removal as the opening act for Ed Sheeran’s tour last month due to his pro-Palestinian statements. The tour is set to launch in Dublin, Paris, and London, with additional U.S. dates and performers to be announced later. Macklemore stated that proceeds from the concerts will be donated to organizations supporting the Palestinian people.

The Grammy-winning artist made the announcement via Instagram, emphasizing the urgency of speaking out amid ongoing conflict. “Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore,” Macklemore said, adding that artists are being called upon to use their platforms for more than entertainment—to educate themselves, engage in community, and resist efforts to silence calls for a Free Palestine.

Macklemore was removed from eight additional shows on Ed Sheeran’s tour after remarks he made during a concert in New Jersey in which he declared, “Free Palestine.” He noted that some venues scheduled to host Sheeran’s performances objected to his statements. Israel has denied accusations of genocide, framing its actions in Gaza as self-defense in response to threats.

Ed Sheeran, one of the world’s best-selling artists, said the decision to drop Macklemore was made by tour organizers and not by him personally. Sheeran also expressed regret over the handling of the situation during a performance in Philadelphia and criticized Israel’s treatment of Gaza residents as “unjustifiable.”

Macklemore has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and policies in the occupied West Bank. Reflecting on recent events, he said, “If these last couple of weeks have shown us anything, it’s that something has shifted over the last three years,” pointing to what he described as a growing global awareness of Palestinian liberation and efforts by wealthy interests to suppress that message.

He characterized his removal from the tour as part of a broader issue: “When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention.” Macklemore framed the upcoming tour as an opportunity to confront this dynamic and to amplify his message on a larger scale.