On September 7, Mehdi Hasan replied to a critic of Macklemore’s political remark at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium concert. Earlier on September 4 and 5, the Thrift Shop rapper showed support for people in Gaza and chanted ‘Free Palestine’ during his opening acts at Ed Sheeran’s concerts. He faced backlash for his anti-Israel remarks during the stage performance.Mehdi Hasan supported the rapper and defended his comments as freedom of speech. Following this, an X user, @SarahEttedgui, reacted to Hasan’s post and said that the audience paid for Ed Sheeran’s concert and not an ‘anti-Israel’ rally. She added that Macklemore’s criticism wasn’t an attack on ‘free speech.’ Sarah added that when people pay for concerts, they are likely to have expectations and artists are supposed to fulfil them. She wrote:“When a paying audience says, “I paid for an Ed Sheeran concert, not an anti-Israel rally, and I want my money back,” that is not an attack on free speech. That is quite literally how a free market works. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from contracts, consumer expectations, criticism, or economic consequences.”Sarah continued:“But Mehdi here confusing free speech with an entitlement to someone else’s money, and then objecting when consumers exercise their economic freedom, is admittedly very on brand for someone who hates capitalism.”Mehdi Hasan further reacted to Sarah’s criticism of the rapper’s remarks. The broadcaster defended him, arguing that demanding his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour after his political remarks infringes on free speech. Mehdi Hasan replied:“Hi, this is a hilarious post. If a paying audience is still going to Ed Sheeran concerts featuring Macklemore despite Macklemore’s criticisms of Israel at those concerts then isn’t that capitalism working? Shouldn’t the free market sort this out, per your view? But no, your side is insisting Macklemore be removed from the concert tour for his views which clearly is a free speech issue. The pro-Israel side loves to censor and cancel, always has, always will, as it is the only way to defend apartheid and genocide.”Macklemore responded to criticism at Ed Sheeran’s New Jersey showsDuring his opening performance at a New Jersey show, the Can’t Hold Us maker addressed the criticism surrounding his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour. For those unaware, the Israel American Council (IAC) had urged the Perfect singer to drop the rapper for the rest of the tour.At his recent show, he said that he was supporting Palestinian freedom, not criticising Jewish people.