All of the remaining support acts on Ed Sheeran’s US tour have quit, after the rapper Macklemore was dropped from the line-up for making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage.

Among them were Finneas, the brother of pop star Billie Eilish, who said in a statement: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”

Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe and Danish band Lukas Graham also announced their departure. Irish folk band Beoga, who perform with Sheeran on stage every night, dropped out too.

The announcements came hours after Sheeran said he would not be drawn into a public debate over Gaza, and stressed he was not responsible for Macklemore being removed from the tour.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said on Instagram.

“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.”

Earlier this month, Macklemore – real name Benjamin Haggerty – called for a “free Palestine” and showed images of devastation in Gaza during two concerts in New Jersey.

His comments drew criticism from Jewish groups, after which some venues put pressure on the tour promoters to drop him from the tour.

In his statement, Sheeran said he had spoken with the venues “at length all week to try and build a bridge” – but the promoters, Messina Touring Group, had ultimately pulled the plug.