Ed Sheeran said Tuesday that the decision to remove Macklemore from the remaining U.S. dates of his Loop Tour was made by the tour’s promoter and venue operators, not by Sheeran himself.

Macklemore was dropped after making pro-Palestinian remarks during his opening performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4 and 5. He called for a “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” drawing criticism from Jewish advocacy groups and other critics. Several venues subsequently told promoter Messina Touring Group they would not host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup.

In an Instagram statement, Sheeran said Macklemore’s contract was with Messina Touring Group and that he had spent the week attempting to find a solution after venues threatened to cancel shows if the rapper remained on the tour. Sheeran said he spoke with venue owners, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and participated in discussions involving people on opposing sides of the dispute.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote. He said he respects Macklemore as an artist and had agreed that the rapper could perform a setlist of his choosing, but said he also had a responsibility to fans, crew members and other performers whose livelihoods depend on the tour.

Sheeran also addressed his own approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, saying he is “appalled” by the suffering caused by the conflict while explaining that he generally avoids political statements during concerts. He said his shows are intended to bring together a broad audience rather than serve as political forums.

Macklemore had previously claimed that Sheeran told him Kraft had rallied other stadium owners and presented an ultimatum that the tour could not continue at their venues if Macklemore remained. Kraft later confirmed that Gillette Stadium would not host Macklemore, citing the rapper’s recent comments as well as what Kraft described as a broader history of rhetoric and imagery that he considered offensive to the Jewish community.

The dispute has since expanded beyond Macklemore’s removal. Several other artists scheduled to support Sheeran, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga and Aaron Rowe, have withdrawn from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.