WASHINGTON, September 20, 2026 (WAFA) – British singer Ed Sheeran spoke about the war in Gaza and his position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his first concert since a controversy erupted over the removal of rapper Macklemore from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s US tour, describing what is happening in Gaza as “catastrophic, unjustified and disproportionate.”
During his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Ed Sheeran said that the war in Gaza has, in his view, become a humanitarian matter and that he could no longer hide his feelings about it, expressing sadness over the scale of destruction and the killing of civilians and children. He also referred to what he described as systematic injustice in the West Bank.
Sheeran said he has been communicating with people from different sides in an effort to help those affected by the crisis, adding that he continues to listen and learn about the issue.
Ed Sheeran apologized to his audience during his first concert since the crisis erupted following the removal of rapper Macklemore from his US tour, acknowledging that he had made mistakes in handling the fallout from the issue.
During the concert, Sheeran said he had been forced to make difficult decisions in recent days, adding, “I made mistakes, and I’m very sorry.”
Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s tour following pro-Palestinian statements he made during earlier concerts, including calls for a “Free Palestine.” Sheeran had previously said that the decision was not his, but was made by the tour promoter and stadium owners after they objected to the political content of Macklemore’s statements.
The controversy subsequently prompted several artists participating in the tour to withdraw in solidarity with Macklemore, leaving Sheeran to take the stage alone in Philadelphia.
Outside the stadium, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered during the concert, carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans including “Free Palestine,” amid continued debate over the limits of artists’ freedom to express political views on stage.
T.R.
