Ed Sheeran calls Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ after Macklemore tour fallout

British singer Ed Sheeran described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate” during a Philadelphia concert, addressing a controversy that engulfed his tour after rapper Macklemore was dropped following onstage accusations of Israeli "genocide" and "apartheid."

Speaking onstage on Saturday, Sheeran also condemned the Hamas-led October 7 attack, including the massacre at the Nova music festival, and referred to "the historical suffering of Jews."

He expressed distress over civilian deaths in Gaza, particularly those of children, and criticized what he described as "systemic injustice in the West Bank."

“I've never wanted to be an activist musician,” Sheeran said, explaining that the dispute placed him at the center of a debate about freedom of expression and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The controversy followed Macklemore’s removal from the Loop Tour after he voiced support for Palestinians onstage. Macklemore accused New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Gillette Stadium was among the tour’s venues, of organizing pressure to exclude him. Kraft defended his position by citing concerns about hate speech.

The dispute also revived scrutiny of a 2014 Seattle performance in which Macklemore wore a dark wig, fake beard and large prosthetic nose, drawing accusations that he caricatured Jews. Macklemore apologized at the time but denied deliberately portraying a Jewish stereotype, saying the costume was intended as a disguise.

Sheeran said Macklemore’s contract was with the tour promoter and denied responsibility for the decision. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and others subsequently withdrew from the tour.

Sheeran apologized to fans and acknowledged mistakes in his handling of the dispute. He also raised concerns about venues censoring performers, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the concert.