PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WHP) — Ed Sheeran apologized to fans during a concert in Philadelphia on Saturday night.
The English singer has faced backlash after rapper Macklemore said he was dropped as an opener for Sheeran’s tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during a performance.
Sheeran previously said this was not his decision, but he did tell fans Saturday, “I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry.”
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Before the concert, protesters sympathetic to Palestinian rights gathered outside of Lincoln Financial Field.
Protesters speak in support of Palestinian rights in Philadelphia on Saturday. (KYW)
“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,” Sheeran said Saturday.
Sheeran described the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel as “horrific” and said they “compounded centuries of Jewish pain.” However, he said Israel’s military actions in Gaza have been “unjustifable and disproportionate.”
“My heart has been broken by the scale and devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, children’s lives,” Sheeran said. “The systemic injustice we are seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked. I’m already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times.”
Sheeran also addressed New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, who said he barred Macklemore from performing at his venue because of his political comments.
“I am deeply worried about the idea that venues pre-approve content for performers,” Sheeran said. “This happens in so many places that I’ve performed around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.”
Sheeran’s next performance is scheduled for Sept. 25 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.