Ed Sheeran Addresses Gaza War in Philadelphia Following Macklemore Tour Controversy
Singer Ed Sheeran addressed the Israel-Hamas war during a Philadelphia concert, calling the October 7 massacre horrible and the Gaza situation unjustified following Macklemore's tour dismissal.
Ed Sheeran addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the first time during his Philadelphia concert, following a major controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore. Performing without Macklemore after the rapper was dropped from the tour, Sheeran described the October 7 massacre as "horrible" and called the situation in Gaza "unjustified," marking his first public remarks on the war since it began.
The Fallout and Macklemore's Departure
Opening the show without his former opening act, Sheeran told the audience: "I tried not to be a political commentator, but this is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it." He clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by production management rather than personally, following the rapper's controversial onstage statements. Earlier this month, Macklemore shouted "Free Palestine" and dedicated a song to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University, later labeling IDF military operations in Gaza as "genocide."
"I tried not to be a political commentator, but this is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it."
Backlash and Tour Cancellations
The remarks sparked immediate backlash. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition demanding Macklemore's removal, while pop star Pink sharply criticized him on social media. Macklemore later posted on Instagram that stadium owner Robert Kraft intervened, informing Sheeran that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at his venue. Several other stadiums followed suit, leading to Macklemore's official removal from the tour on September 14. Macklemore announced he would donate his net tour profits—estimated at $1 million—to six pro-Palestinian organizations.
Following his departure, several other opening acts also withdrew from the tour in solidarity, including Danish pop band Lukas Graham and American singer Finneas, brother of pop star Billie Eilish.
