Ed Sheeran's tour of North and South America has been thrown into turmoil after four supporting acts withdrew from the tour in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was dropped following pro-Palestinian comments he made onstage.

The artists who quit are Irish musicians Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas, the brother and musical collaborator of Billie Eilish. All four announced their departures on Instagram on Tuesday, hours after Sheeran posted on social media attributing Macklemore's removal to the tour's promoters.

Rowe and Lukas Graham had been lined up as replacements for Macklemore on Sheeran's remaining U.S. dates. Beoga had been performing several songs with Sheeran during each set, including tracks the Irish folk band co-wrote with him. Finneas was scheduled to join the tour for its South American leg later this year.

"Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed," Finneas wrote on Instagram. "I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people."

Rowe and Beoga both cited Ireland's history in their statements. "We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be," Beoga said.

Rowe described Sheeran as a friend who had changed his life, but said he could not "stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up." He added: "But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation."

Lukas Graham, known for hits including "7 Years" and "Mama Said," called the decision difficult but said it was necessary. "Money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody's bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we're allowed to acknowledge," the band posted, in an apparent reference to billionaire Robert Kraft's role in Macklemore's removal.

Sheeran, who has sought to keep politics out of his concerts, addressed the situation on Instagram. "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," he 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."

The crisis began on September 5, when Macklemore exclaimed "Free Palestine!" during a concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey while introducing his protest song "Hind's Hall." He also addressed the crowd directly: "To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you."

Macklemore said on Instagram on Monday that several U.S. venues had told the tour's promoter they would bar him from performing as Sheeran's opening act. He said the venues were rallied by Robert Kraft, owner of the NFL's New England Patriots. Kraft's group also owns Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play.

In a statement, Kraft said the decision to remove Macklemore was the result of his recent comments "and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community."

The tour is promoted by the Messina Touring Group. Requests for comment sent to both Sheeran's representatives and the promoter had not received a response at the time of reporting. Kraft's representatives also did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the withdrawal of the other artists.

The departures place mounting pressure on Sheeran, who has repeatedly stated that his fans do not attend his concerts to hear political commentary and that he does not wish to be drawn into a public debate over the conflict in Gaza.