Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologizes for Macklemore controversy

Philadelphia — On Saturday, British singer Ed Sheeran apologized for his handling of a controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore being removed as an opening act due to comments on Palestine. Sheeran, speaking at a concert in Philadelphia, condemned Israel's treatment of residents in Gaza as "unjustifiable." He stated, "I've had to take and make difficult decisions and I am making mistakes and I'm so, so sorry."

At the beginning of the concert at Lincoln Financial Field, Sheeran referred to the October 2023 Hamas attack that claimed 1,200 Israeli lives as "horrific." However, he described Israel's subsequent war, which has resulted in thousands of deaths in Gaza and the displacement of almost the entire population, as "catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate."

Sheeran also criticized "systemic injustice" in the West Bank, where Israel's right-wing coalition government has permitted a significant expansion of Jewish settlements. This marked a significant shift from Sheeran's previous statement on the matter.