{
  "id": 8633170,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologizes for Macklemore controversy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans-unjustifiable-apologizes",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T07:12:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260920/ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans-unjustifiable-apologizes-for-macklemore-controversy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "PHILADELPHIA — Pop star Ed Sheeran apologized on Saturday for his handling of a controversy that erupted this week when rapper Macklemore was removed as an opening act over comments on Palestine. Breaking his silence on the issue, the British singer decried Israel's treatment of residents in Gaza as \"unjustifiable.\" \"I've had to take and make difficult decisions and I am making mistakes and I'm…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "'What is happening in Gaza is unjustifiable': Ed Sheeran admits 'mistakes' after Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/what-is-happening-in-gaza-is-unjustifiable-ed-sheeran-admits-mistakes",
        "published": "2026-09-20T03:38:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Pop star Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ following controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/pop-star-ed-sheeran-says-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-following",
        "published": "2026-09-20T04:46:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Irish Times",
        "title": "‘We have skin in the game’: TD backs ‘half Irish’ Macklemore after Sheeran ditching",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/we-have-skin-in-the-game-td-backs-half-irish-macklemore-after-sheeran",
        "published": "2026-09-20T05:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ amid ongoing outcry over Macklemore’s ouster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-amid-ongoing-outcry-over",
        "published": "2026-09-20T06:50:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "British pop star Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologises for Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/british-pop-star-ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:05:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologizes for Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans-unjustifiable-apologizes-8635188",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:22:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologizes for Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans-unjustifiable-apologizes-8642345",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:52:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran speaks on Gaza in concert after Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-speaks-on-gaza-in-concert-after-macklemore-controversy",
        "published": "2026-09-20T08:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}