Billie Eilish’s Bro FINNEAS Backs Palestine As Ed Sheeran
Written by b87fm on 09/17/2026
FINNEAS backs Palestine and leaves Ed Sheeran’s tour as Macklemore’s removal fuels a wider revolt among supporting performers.
FINNEAS, Billie Eilish’s brother and longtime producer, has withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s tour while declaring his support for Palestinians.
“I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people,” FINNEAS wrote.
His decision followed Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s Loop Tour and turned a simmering stadium dispute into an industry-wide protest.
The conflict traces back to May 2024, when Macklemore released “Hind’s Hall” to support student demonstrations demanding Palestinian freedom and divestment from Israel.
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Macklemore donated the song’s streaming proceeds to UNRWA before releasing “Hind’s Hall 2” with Palestinian and Palestinian American performers that September.
On September 4 and 5, 2026, Macklemore performed during Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows while wearing a keffiyeh and displaying images from Gaza.
“I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them,” Macklemore told the crowd. “Free Palestine.”
The Israeli-American Council responded with a petition seeking Macklemore’s removal, while several NFL stadium owners reportedly questioned keeping him on the lineup.
Macklemore said Sheeran later explained that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft opposed his scheduled appearance at Gillette Stadium near Boston.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium,” Macklemore wrote. “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.”
Kraft defended his position by accusing Macklemore of using rhetoric and imagery that Kraft considered antisemitic and harmful to Jewish communities.
Sheeran answered on September 15, saying venue opposition forced the tour promoter’s decision although Macklemore publicly placed responsibility on Sheeran’s operation.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote. “It doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
FINNEAS then joined Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Sheeran’s touring band Beoga in leaving their remaining scheduled appearances.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” FINNEAS wrote in his statement reported by Entertainment Weekly. “I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Macklemore redirected the argument toward humanitarian relief on September 16 by pledging his entire $1 million tour salary to six Palestinian organizations.
“I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people,” Macklemore wrote. “Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”
By September 17, Kraft said Sheeran had requested a matching $2 million contribution toward regional humanitarian aid before Macklemore issued his public challenge.
Sheeran’s tour is scheduled to resume September 19 in Philadelphia without the supporting lineup originally announced for its remaining American dates.
