Roger Waters had a simple message for Ed Sheeran over his apolitical stance on Palestine.
The Pink Floyd star called Sheeran a “little pr***k” unlike Macklemore, who he described as someone who “does the right thing.”
“This is a little message for Ed Sheeran,” he said, before showing an image of United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese behind him, as well as an unnamed woman from Gaza pictured with tears in her eyes.
“I just have a little message for [Sheeran],” Waters added. “There are two kinds of people in this world. There’s people who do the right thing – the rapper Macklemore would be one of those people.
“And there’s people – many of them, sadly – little f… excuse me, I nearly used the F-word then… pricks like you who do the wrong thing. Goodbye.”
Sheeran’s US tour has been mired by controversy after rapper Macklemore was removed as a support act for expressing solidarity with Palestinians on stage.
Macklemore had made several onstage statements in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and called for a “free Palestine.”
In a statement shared on Instagram, Macklemore claimed he was dropped from the tour after Robert Kraft — the multi-billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium began a pressure campaign against Macklemore and Sheeran.
“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.”
In the last 24 hours, all the remaining support acts for Sheeran have pulled out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and the people of Palestine.
Sheeran said in a statement that he is not “complicit” in the outcome but confirmed venue owners had threatened to pull the tour entirely if Macklemore wasn’t dropped from the bill.
The English singer defended himself against the backlash to Macklemore’s removal from the tour, but refused to publicly speak out about the situation in Palestine.
He said: “It’s important that I set out some facts.”
“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.”
Sheeran said he had spoken with the venues “all week to try and build a bridge”, but promoters Messina Touring Group had decided to remove Macklemore from the bill.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote.
“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.”