Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran shows and venues after the Israeli-American Council petitioned against him, a win for the Israel lobby and a setback for artists speaking out on Palestine.

• The Israeli-American Council called for Sheeran and venues to drop Macklemore, and they did.
• The stated reason was "hate speech," but the actual content was arguing Palestinian civilians have a right to live.
• Critics say this is how the Israel lobby operates, and that calling it out gets labeled an anti-Semitic trope.
• Anti-Zionist Jews are being urged to speak out publicly so Israel's actions are not conflated with all Jewish people.

Outlook: Expect more pressure campaigns against artists and public figures who criticize Israel's conduct in Gaza.