{
  "id": 8583361,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran says what is happening in Gaza is 'catastrophic, unjustifiable'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-what-is-happening-in-gaza-is-catastrophic",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T02:00:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/ed-sheeran-says-what-happening-gaza-catastrophic-unjustifiable"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pop star Ed Sheeran expressed his strong condemnation of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling it \"catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.\" During his solo concert in Philadelphia, USA, Sheeran spoke out against the violence between Israel and Palestine, describing the situation as a \"human tragedy\" and highlighting the suffering inflicted on civilians, including children.\n\nThis was Sheeran's first performance since he removed rapper Macklemore from his U.S. tour following Macklemore's call for \"Free Palestine.\" The stadium owners had refused to allow Macklemore to perform, leading the pop star to drop him from the tour. In response, Sheeran's opening acts and his own band withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.\n\nSheeran had previously stated that he tries to avoid being a political commentator, aiming to create music and shows centered on unity rather than division. However, he acknowledged that the recent events in Gaza, including the attack on the Museum of Tolerance on October 7, were horrific and exacerbated centuries of Jewish suffering. He emphasized that the scale of devastation and loss of life, as well as the systemic injustice in the West Bank, cannot be ignored.",
  "summary": "Ed Sheeran says what is happening in Gaza is 'catastrophic, unjustifiable' Pop Star Ed Sheeran has said what is happening in Gaza is “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate” as he opened his solo concert in the US city of Philadelphia. Sheeran also said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” describing the suffering caused by the war as a “human tragedy,”…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran breaks silence at first concert after Macklemore Palestine row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-breaks-silence-at-first-concert-after-macklemore-palestine",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:01:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ after pro-Palestinian Macklemore booted from tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-after-pro-palestinian",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:03:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-addresses-macklemore-controversy",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:09:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-addresses-macklemore-controversy-8575311",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:09:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens solo concert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-situation-in-gaza-is-catastrophic-and-unjustifiable",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:11:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran calls Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ after Macklemore exit furore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-calls-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-after-macklemore-exit",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:20:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' at Philly show",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/sheeran-says-situation-in-gaza-is-catastrophic-and-unjustifiable-at",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:29:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran Says Situation in Gaza Is ‘Catastrophic and Unjustifiable’ at Philadelphia Tour Stop",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-situation-in-gaza-is-catastrophic-and-unjustifiable-8590248",
        "published": "2026-09-20T02:15:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’ as he opens solo concert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-situation-in-gaza-is-catastrophic-and-unjustifiable-8600994",
        "published": "2026-09-20T03:24:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens solo concert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-situation-in-gaza-is-catastrophic-and-unjustifiable-8599275",
        "published": "2026-09-20T03:34:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}