Gaza situation catastrophic, unjustifiable, says Ed Sheeran

British singer Ed Sheeran has spoken publicly about the Gaza war for the first time since controversy erupted over the removal of rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour for making pro-Palestinian comments.

Sheeran addressed the issue on Saturday night at his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where he described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable” and said he could no longer hide how he felt about the conflict.

The singer, who has previously said he did not want his concerts to become political forums, told the audience that he had tried to keep his music focused on unity and humanity.

“Now, I want to address the question of where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand,” he said.

“I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind because I want my musical shows to be about unity, not division. About humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it any more,” he added.

Sheeran acknowledged the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel, including the assault on the Nova music festival, describing it as “horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain”.

Turning to Gaza, he said: “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. Our hearts have been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives. Children’s lives.”

He also criticised what he described as “systemic injustice” in the West Bank.

Sheeran said he was speaking to people on different sides of the conflict and trying to understand how he could help those affected.

“I’m listening and learning because I do not know enough,” he said.

The singer also addressed the controversy surrounding his tour, saying his concerts should remain spaces where people with different views could gather.

“Everyone is welcome and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views and everyone here can stand by people that they don’t agree with on everything but they can all agree by singing these songs,” he said.

“And these songs are about love, hope and unity,” he noted.

His comments came days after Macklemore was removed from the Loop Tour following his pro-Palestinian remarks during performances, including his “Free Palestine” statement at a September 5 show in New Jersey.

Sheeran had previously said the decision to remove Macklemore was not his, while the tour promoter said venue concerns were involved. Several other supporting acts subsequently withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, while Irish folk band Beoga also withdrew.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that protests and boycott calls were expected ahead of Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert.

The controversy had also prompted demonstrations outside Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, with pro-Palestinian protesters criticising Macklemore’s removal from the tour.