Gaza artist paints mural honouring US rapper Macklemore

Palestinian man walks past a mural painted on the rubble of a destroyed building and dedicated to Macklemore in Gaza City. Photo Courtesy: AFP

Palestinian artist Ubayy Al-Qarashli paints a mural of US rapper Macklemore on the ruins of a building in Gaza City in tribute to his support for Palestinians.

Macklemore was booted from Ed Sheeran's tour after his declaration of "Free Palestine" at a New Jersey concert this month drew backlash from owners of US stadiums hosting future dates.

Sheeran has since called the situation in Gaza "unjustifiable," following a wave of criticism that he had failed to back his opening act.

Ed Sheeran breaks down during concert

Ed Sheeran broke down in tears during his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, saying he felt abandoned by friends, family and people he had known for years amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore.

Sheeran told the audience that people had urged him to cancel the tour and that several people close to him had backed away, as per Page Six.

Additionally, Sheeran said the continued ticket sales for his Philadelphia show gave him a different perspective, as people had not cancelled their tickets to his concert.

Sheeran also described the concert as the best show of his life, while calling the preceding week one of the worst he had experienced. He later became emotional while describing the love he felt from the crowd, saying he had initially been worried about his safety and whether he would be booed.

Macklemore donates USD 1 million

Meanwhile, Macklemore has donated the USD 1 million he said he earned from the Loop Tour before being dropped from it to Palestinian relief efforts.

He also called on Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, to match the donation.

Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and was among the stadium owners who refused to let Macklemore perform following his "Free Palestine" speech, subsequently donated USD 2 million after Sheeran asked him to.

In a statement regarding the donation, Kraft said he had dedicated his life to bringing people together and believed that
"all lives are worth protecting".

Sheeran is scheduled to perform next at Gillette Stadium on September 25 and September 26.

(With inputs from AFP and ANI)