Ed Sheeran apologizes for dropping Macklemore, condemns Gaza crisis at Philadelphia concert

Ed Sheeran apologized to fans and condemned the Gaza crisis during his first concert since the removal of rapper Macklemore from his U.S. tour, performing solo at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Sheeran opened the show by acknowledging “difficult decisions” and “mistakes,” saying he was “so, so sorry” for the fallout after Macklemore was dropped from the tour’s support lineup over pro-Palestinian remarks. All other supporting acts subsequently withdrew in solidarity, leaving Sheeran to perform alone.
He called the Oct. 7 Nova festival attack “horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain” but added that “what is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.” Sheeran also stated that “the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” and said his heart was broken by civilian and children’s deaths. He noted he was “listening and learning because I do not know enough” .
The controversy began after Macklemore, who had called for the “liberation of Palestine” during earlier performances, was removed under pressure from U.S. venue operators and pro-Israel groups, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Protesters gathered near the Philadelphia venue on Saturday, waving Palestinian flags and calling for a boycott of Sheeran’s tour .
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