Ed Sheeran calls Gaza situation 'unjustifiable' in first comments on Macklemore controversy
September 20, 2026 at 03:55 AM · Updated 26d ago
Coverage
10 reports · 4 in Arabic, 6 in English · over 14 hours
إيد شيران يعتذر للحضور عن "ارتكابه الأخطاء" - BBC News عربي
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The pro-Israel censors are starting to lose
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من "فلسطين حرة" إلى ضغوط داعمي الاحتلال.. كواليس أزمة حفل شيران بأمريكا
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"لم يعد بإمكاني إخفاء شعوري".. إد شيران يعلن موقفه من حرب غزة
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إد شيران يقرّ بارتكاب "أخطاء" في حفله بفيلادلفيا، الأول منذ الجدل بشأن ماكليمور - BBC News عربي
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Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza ‘unjustifiable’ in first show since tour plunged into turmoil
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Fans cheer as Ed Sheeran speaks out over Macklemore controversy at Philadelphia show
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Ed Sheeran calls Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ after Palestine controversy
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Watch: Concertgoers and pro-Palestinian activists arrive at Ed Sheeran concert
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Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy at Philadelphia show
(opens the publisher’s site)Ed Sheeran has made his first public statement on the controversy over rapper Macklemore's removal from his tour, calling the situation in Gaza 'catastrophic'.
- Sheeran called the situation in Gaza "catastrophic", "unjustifiable" and "disproportionate" at Saturday's Philadelphia concert, his first in-person comments on the affair.
- Sheeran denied being behind Macklemore's removal from the tour, blaming his promoter for dropping the rapper over his pro-Palestinian remarks.
- Sheeran performed solo after all four supporting acts, including Finneas, withdrew citing their support for Palestinians.
- Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside the stadium before the show, which proceeded largely unfettered.
- Sheeran admitted he had made mistakes and said he usually avoids political commentary, but framed Gaza as a humanitarian issue.
- Fans cheered when Sheeran said he could no longer hide his feelings about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Sheeran called the October 7, 2023 attacks 'horrific' and said he had not intended to be a political activist but found himself in a freedom of expression debate.
- Sheeran said the systematic injustice in the West Bank cannot be ignored.
- Irish musician Aaron Rowe withdrew from the tour, saying he could not stand by while voices against genocide in Gaza are silenced.
- Macklemore chanted 'Free Palestine' during a September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- Stadium owners, led by billionaire Robert Kraft, reportedly pressured Sheeran to drop Macklemore or risk losing venues.