English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran said Saturday that he could no longer remain silent about the war in Gaza, calling the devastation there “catastrophic and unjustifiable” during his first concert since rapper Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s U.S. tour over his pro-Palestinian remarks.
Sheeran said he had tried throughout his career to avoid being a political commentator and keep his concerts focused on “unity, not division.” But, he said, “This is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”
Sheeran said he had made “mistakes” amid the controversy and apologized, saying he had been forced to make “difficult decisions.” Earlier this week, he described the Israel-Palestinian conflict as a “human tragedy” and said he was “appalled” by the suffering it has caused.
“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives,” Sheeran said Saturday. He also condemned Hamas’ October 7 attack and the killing at the Nova music festival as “horrific,” while saying the suffering in Gaza was “disproportionate.” He said “systemic injustice” in the West Bank “cannot be overlooked.”
The remarks came amid fallout over Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s Loop Tour. Macklemore had spoken about Gaza and the West Bank during Sheeran’s New Jersey concerts, said “free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
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A Palestinian walks past a mural painted in honour of American rapper Macklemore, amid buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, Friday. Credit: DAWOUD ABU ALKAS/REUTERS
A Palestinian walks past a mural painted in honour of American rapper Macklemore, amid buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, Friday. Credit: DAWOUD ABU ALKAS/REUTERS
Messina Touring Group, the U.S. tour promoter, subsequently announced that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining dates, saying venues would not allow concerts featuring him to proceed.
Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, who replaced Macklemore, later withdrew from the tour, while Finneas pulled out of the South American leg and Beoga left Sheeran’s live show.
Sheeran said Macklemore’s removal was a decision by the promoter and venues, rather than by him, and that he was “deeply worried” about venues pre-approving performance content.