Ed Sheeran has publicly clarified his position on the Israel-Palestine conflict after previously saying he had chosen not to share his views.
The 35-year-old singer-songwriter’s Loop Tour was thrown into turmoil earlier this month after opening act Macklemore made comments supporting a “Free Palestine.”
Sheeran returned to the stage at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night, marking his first performance since promoter’s removed Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, 43, from the tour.
During a solemn address, Sheeran explained: “I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind because I want my music and shows to be about unity and not division, about humanity and not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”
‘What happened in Israel at Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,’ Sheeran said in a video captured and shared online by a concertgoer.
“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives, and the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” he told the crowd.
Ed Sheeran has spoken openly about the Israel-Palestine conflict after his Loop Tour was disrupted by Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” comments; pictured in October 2025
The Philadelphia concert took place as pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside the venue before Sheeran performed
Sheeran also assured fans that he would “continue my current tour,” despite all of his scheduled opening acts withdrawing in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.
The performance came shortly after pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field.
Macklemore previously claimed that Sheeran had spoken to Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium through his holding company, the Kraft Group, following the rapper’s onstage call for a free Palestine at MetLife Stadium in early September.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,” he wrote on Instagram.
On Tuesday, Sheeran issued his own statement on Instagram, insisting that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision rather than his.
“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,” the British singer-songwriter wrote.
In the lengthy statement, Sheeran acknowledged that he holds “personal views on this devastating conflict” but had previously decided “not to speak publicly.”
His earlier silence drew criticism from other musicians, including Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who condemned him on social media for not opposing the decision.
The 35-year-old singer-songwriter performed in Philadelphia on Saturday night for the first time since Macklemore, 43, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, was removed from the tour; pictured in 2013
Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother, withdrew from upcoming tour dates, saying that “artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed”; pictured in November 2025
Activists gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night to call for freedom for Palestine
Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother, cancelled his scheduled appearances at upcoming tour dates, writing that “artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”
Other opening acts, including Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham, as well as Sheeran’s longtime backing folk band Beoga, also pulled out of the tour.
In his address to fans on Saturday, Sheeran stated, ‘I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry.’
He said, ‘I don’t want to disappoint fans and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician. But this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech in the most complex political issue on the planet.’
The pop star continued, ‘Our concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely central to who I am and that is why I’m here tonight, on my own, and continuing my own tour.’
He went on to say, ‘I am deeply worried about the idea that venues’ pre-approved content performance. This happens in so many places that I’ve gone around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.’