Ed Sheeran Condemns Israel’s Gaza Actions, Confirms Tour Will Continue

Ed Sheeran has addressed the Israel-Palestine conflict publicly after Macklemore’s pro-Palestine remarks triggered turmoil around their Loop Tour.

The 35-year-old British singer-songwriter returned to the stage at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, marking his first performance since 43-year-old rapper Macklemore—whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty—was removed from the tour.

During a somber address, Sheeran told concertgoers he intended to continue the tour, even though all of his opening acts had withdrawn in support of Macklemore and the Palestinian cause.

‘What happened in Israel at Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,’ he said in a video captured and shared online by a concertgoer. 

“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives, and the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” he said.

His comments came as pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside the venue ahead of the show.

After Macklemore called for a free Palestine during a performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in early September, he claimed on Instagram that Sheeran had told him Robert Kraft had intervened. Kraft owns Gillette Stadium through his holding company, the Kraft Group.

“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,” Macklemore wrote.

Sheeran issued his own statement on Instagram on Tuesday, explaining that Macklemore’s departure was not his decision and had instead been made by the tour promoter.

“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,” the singer said.

In the lengthy post, Sheeran acknowledged that he holds “personal views on this devastating conflict,” but said he had chosen not to discuss them publicly.

That decision has drawn criticism from fellow musicians, including Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who attacked Sheeran on social media for not opposing Macklemore’s removal.

Finneas, the brother of Billie Eilish, also canceled his planned appearances on future tour dates, saying that “artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”

Other acts who left the tour include Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham and Beoga, Sheeran’s longtime backing folk group.

Speaking to the Philadelphia crowd, Sheeran admitted that he had been forced to make difficult choices and accept that he had made mistakes. “I’m so, so sorry,” he said.

“I don’t want to disappoint fans and 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 in the most complex political issue on the planet,” he added.

The pop star continued, ‘Our concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely central to who I am and that is why I’m here tonight, on my own, and continuing my own tour.’

He went on to say, ‘I am deeply worried about the idea that venues’ pre-approved content performance. This happens in so many places that I’ve gone around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.’

Elsewhere in the speech, he admitted, ‘I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind because I want my music and shows to be about unity and not division, about humanity and not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.’