British pop star Ed Sheeran has described Israel’s war in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable”, while apologising for his handling of a controversy that erupted after rapper Macklemore was removed from his US tour following pro Palestinian remarks.

Addressing the audience at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Sheeran spoke publicly about the dispute for the first time since Macklemore was dropped from the Loop Tour and several other supporting acts subsequently withdrew in solidarity.

Sheeran told the crowd that he had faced difficult decisions and acknowledged making mistakes, saying he was “very, very sorry”. He also expressed concern about concert venues scrutinising what performers are allowed to say on stage.

His remarks marked a shift from his response earlier in the week, when he said audiences attending his concerts did not expect them to become a political platform and emphasised his desire for his shows to remain spaces centred on music and unity.

Sheeran addresses Gaza and the West Bank

Sheeran began his comments by condemning the Hamas led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 as horrific. He then criticised Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza, describing what has happened there as catastrophic, unjustifiable and disproportionate.

The singer also criticised what he described as “systemic injustice” in the occupied West Bank.

His intervention came after days of scrutiny over the removal of Macklemore, a longtime advocate for Palestinian rights, from the US leg of Sheeran’s tour.

The dispute began after Macklemore said “Free Palestine” during a 4 September performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Macklemore later said Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, objected to his scheduled appearances and that other venues were also prepared to reject shows if he remained on the tour.

Kraft confirmed his role in seeking Macklemore’s removal from Gillette Stadium, saying the venue had determined that the rapper’s appearances would cross its line on what it considered hate speech. Kraft said the decision was not intended to deny Palestinian suffering or prevent advocacy on behalf of Palestinians.

Sheeran previously said Macklemore’s contract was with the tour promoter rather than directly with him and that venues had threatened to cancel concerts if the rapper remained part of the lineup.

Artists withdraw in solidarity

The decision triggered wider disruption to Sheeran’s US tour.

Several supporting artists and Sheeran’s backing band withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, according to Reuters.

Macklemore subsequently announced that he would donate $1 million in expected tour earnings to organisations providing assistance to Palestinians and publicly invited Kraft to match his contribution.

The dispute has expanded beyond the two musicians into a broader debate over political expression by performers and the authority of stadium owners and promoters to restrict material presented during concerts.

Sheeran addressed that issue directly in Philadelphia, saying he was deeply concerned about venues scrutinising artists’ content and arguing that such restrictions should not happen in what he described as the “free world”.

Protesters gather outside Philadelphia concert

Pro Palestinian demonstrators gathered near Lincoln Financial Field ahead of Saturday’s concert, carrying Palestinian flags and signs while speaking to concertgoers about conditions in Gaza and local organisations supporting Palestinians.

Reuters photographs from the demonstration showed protesters outside the venue as fans arrived for the performance.

Reaction among concertgoers interviewed by Reuters was mixed. Some said they supported both Sheeran and Macklemore, while others argued that political issues should remain separate from musical performances.

Sheeran’s remarks nevertheless represented his clearest public position yet on Gaza and the West Bank during a controversy that has placed his tour at the centre of a wider argument over Palestine, artistic expression and the boundaries imposed by major US entertainment venues.