Michelle Dewberry brands ‘Free Palestine’ movement the ‘new BLM’ as she blasts Ed Sheeran backlash
Michelle Dewberry has branded the “Free Palestine” movement the “new Black Lives Matter” as she hit out at the mounting backlash surrounding Ed Sheeran following Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour.
The GB News presenter weighed into the row after an Irish radio station pulled Mr Sheeran’s music from its airwaves and his remaining support acts walked away from upcoming shows in solidarity with Macklemore.
Macklemore was removed from the US leg after making pro-Palestinian remarks during a performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month.
Writing on X, Michelle compared the pressure to publicly back the Palestinian cause with previous social and political movements.
Michelle Dewberry has branded the ‘Free Palestine’ movement the ‘new Black Lives Matter’
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GB NEWS“‘Free Palestine’ has become the new ‘Black Lives Matter’. The latest ‘trans-women are women’,” she wrote.
“You’d better chant the slogan… Or else.”
The GB News presenter argued even publicly supporting such causes was no longer enough for what she called the “‘be kind’ brigade”.
“It’s not genuine; it’s compelled virtue signalling. Trying to dictate who/what is ‘good’ and who/what is not,” she said.
Ed Sheeran has faced mounting backlash following Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour
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GETTY“If you don’t toe the line, heaven help you. They’ll come for you & try their best to absolutely destroy you.”
Michelle pointed to the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, recalling people posting black squares on Instagram and taking the knee before, she claimed, “aggressively shaming those who didn’t”.
Describing the behaviour as “a form of bullying” the presenter warned organisations against bowing to such pressure, adding: “Because trust me, one day, they’ll come for you too.”
Her remarks sparked a divided response on X.
“Free Palestine” has become the new “Black Lives Matter”. The latest “trans-women are women”.
You’d better chant the slogan….Or else.
But even if you do slavishly chant the slogan, it won’t be enough for the ‘be kind’ brigade (who btw are anything but kind!). You need to do… https://t.co/I816zdz5wZ
— Michelle Dewberry (@MichelleDewbs) September 17, 2026
One critic questioned why Michelle was “triggered by people opposing the killing of innocent children”, prompting her to hit back directly.
“Pathetic, stupid & inaccurate comment,” she responded.
“I am a mother. I too oppose the killing of innocent children, all of them. Most normal people would feel the same way.”
Other users agreed with Michelle’s wider argument, with one writing simply: “Well said.”
Another questioned why other conflicts received less public attention, asking: “Why is there never any protests about what’s going on in Sudan?”
However, critics argued supporting Palestinian civilians was not simply a matter of political fashion, with one person writing: “I’m not a leftist, and I think all lives matter, and I am for a free Palestine.”
The intervention comes as the fallout surrounding Mr Sheeran’s Loop Tour continues to grow.
Earlier today, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio announced it had removed the Suffolk singer’s music from its playlist for the “foreseeable future” after receiving feedback from listeners.
Macklemore was dropped from the US Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks at MetLife Stadium
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GETTYThe station stressed the move was “not intended as a personal judgement” on Mr Sheeran but said it wanted to stand alongside Irish artists who had made significant professional decisions based on their convictions.
Aaron Rowe, Finneas and Lukas Graham have withdrawn from forthcoming dates, while Irish folk group Beoga, who had also been performing as Mr Sheeran’s backing band, stepped away following Macklemore’s removal.
Mr Sheeran has insisted the decision to drop Macklemore was not his, saying the rapper’s contract was with the tour promoter and venues had threatened to cancel concerts if he remained on the bill.
The Shape of You singer said he had attempted to broker a solution and described himself as “appalled” by the Israel-Palestine conflict, while explaining he prefers his concerts to remain a place of “safety and sanctuary” rather than a political forum.
Robert Kraft became embroiled in the row after Macklemore alleged he helped rally stadium owners against his continued involvement
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GETTYMeanwhile, Macklemore has pledged his $ 1million (£743,000) net earnings from the tour to organisations providing aid to Palestinians and publicly challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match the donation.
Mr Kraft later said Mr Sheeran had already approached him about committing $2million (around £1.5million) to humanitarian aid in the region before Macklemore issued his public challenge.
Mr Sheeran’s tour is currently scheduled to resume in Philadelphia on September 19.
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