British pop star Ed Sheeran has apologized for Macklemore's removal from his North American Loop Tour over the rapper's pro-Palestine remarks and the backlash that followed, saying the situation in Gaza is "catastrophic," "unjustifiable," and "disproportionate." However, he has also sided with Israel amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, despite the calls for a boycott and criticism of his "apolitical" stance.
Sheeran made the remarks as he opened his show at the Lincoln Financial Field stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his tour resumed on Saturday night.
The pop singer has faced a wave of criticism and calls for boycott after his opening act, American rapper Macklemore, was dropped from the lineup over his pro-Palestine comments at a concert in New Jersey earlier this month.
Macklemore's comments drew backlash from owners of stadiums hosting Sheeran's future tour dates. Sheeran has denied being behind the decision, blaming the tour promoter.
According to US media reports, the start time for the concert was pushed back two and a half hours because there were no opening acts and Sheeran performed solo.
All of Sheeran's four supporting acts, including American singer Billie Eilish's brother and musical collaborator, Finneas, walked out on Sheeran, issuing public statements citing their support for Palestinians.
Finneas and his sister have been outspoken about their support for Palestine before. "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed," he said on Instagram last Tuesday, adding: "I stand with Palestine and its people."
Macklemore said during a show at MetLife Stadium early this month he joined Sheeran's tour to be able to say "two words that are very near and dear to my heart: free Palestine." The rapper said in a follow-up show at MetLife, "criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid [and] being against genocide in no way is a criticism" of Jewish people.
Ed Sheeran said that the decision to fire Macklemore was led by stadium owners, including Gillette Stadium and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft who later confirmed the move.
Kraft, who is Jewish, created the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, now known as the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, in 2019. He is a longtime supporter of Israel as well as its ally in the White House, Donald Trump.
Sheeran wrote on Instagram: "I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care. Nor does it mean I don't support causes in my own, personal way."
A group of about 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied outside the stadium before the show on Saturday, waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Free, free Palestine."
The singer apologized to his fans at the concert. "I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes. I'm so, so sorry. I don't want to disappoint fans," he said.
"I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate."
Sheeran, however, also sided with Israel, slamming the October's 7 Palestinian resistance operation which took place in response to the Israeli attacks and violence against Palestinians and over 70 years of occupation and repression.
During Saturday's show, Sheeran gave his personal views on the Gaza genocide, saying: "My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilian loss and loss of children's lives. And the systemic injustice we're seeing unfolding in the West Bank cannot be overlooked."
Sheeran is next due to perform on Saturday 25 September at Kraft's Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.
