Ed Sheeran Addresses Tour Controversy, Calls Gaza Situation 'Unjustifiable'

Ed Sheeran apologized to fans for "making mistakes" during his Philadelphia concert on Saturday, as his U.S. tour became embroiled in controversy following the removal of opening act Macklemore. Sheeran also described the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic and unjustifiable."

The controversy began when Macklemore was dropped from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments on stage and posting them to social media. In the wake of this decision, other opening acts announced their withdrawal from the tour.

"I am making mistakes and I am so, so sorry," Sheeran told the audience at Lincoln Financial Field, addressing the difficult decisions he has faced in the past week.

Sheeran stated that he has historically avoided politics, saying, "I've never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet."

Referencing the Oct. 7 massacre at the Nova Music Festival, Sheeran acknowledged, "What happened in Israel at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain." He then added, "What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and the loss of civilians' lives, of children's lives."

Macklemore, in a video posted to Instagram, explained his decision to speak out, stating, "One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour, was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America, and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart. Free Palestine. I said Free Palestine."

He also addressed his Jewish fans, saying, "To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, in no way is a criticism of you," before playing his song "Hind's Hall," which features footage from Gaza and U.S. student protests.

Sheeran initially responded to the situation on social media, clarifying that Macklemore's removal from the tour was "the promoter's decision, it was not mine." He explained that Macklemore's contract was with the promoter, not with him directly.

Sheeran also expressed being "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine," and noted that after his shows in New Jersey, the upcoming venues "communicated that they would pull the shows" if Macklemore continued as the supporting act.

Messina Touring Group, the tour's U.S. promoter, confirmed in a statement that venues had informed them they would not allow Macklemore to perform. The promoter stated that this would lead to the cancellation of tour dates, impacting thousands of fans. Following discussions, Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining support dates.