Ed Sheeran apologizes over Macklemore controversy, calls Gaza situation ‘Unjustifiable’

Rapper Macklemore’s expulsion from his US tour has caused Ed Sheeran to publicly apologise for the way things have been handled, speaking on the floor during his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday.

The British vocalist talked with Lincoln Financial Field customers on the issues, in what was his first show in the stadium since his emergence at University of Arizona Stadium, where he was rumored to have made pro-Palestinian remarks after his band was dropped as an opening act. Macklemore had, in his speeches, voiced his support to Palestinians and used “Free Palestine” in his act.

Ed Sheeran told the Philly crowd that he had made “some tough decisions, some mistakes here in the process, I apologize for that. He also commented directly on the Israel-Gaza conflict, describing as “horrific” the attack by Hamas in October 2023 that killed some 1,200 Israelis, and “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate” Israel’s response in Gaza.

He also decried what he termed a “systemic injustice” in the West Bank, where Israeli settlements have been growing under the current Israeli government. His remarks have been a departure from his past saying that his concerts were not and should never become political arenas.

It all started last summer when Macklemore made controversial comments as he performed at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. It’s reported that the rest of Sheeran’s shows would not accept Macklemore. Earlier, Sheeran has revealed that tour’s promoter, and venues, have decided to oust the rapper, and not Sheeran himself.

Other backup musicians also boycotted Sheeran’s gigs in support of Macklemore.

As a result, Sheeran’s appearance in Philadelphia marked the first time he has spoken publicly about the controversy. That adds yet another layer to the controversy over whether Macklemore should be removed and about his political activism at musical events.