{
  "id": 8641030,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW English (Top Stories)",
    "slug": "dw-english-top-stories",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/ed-sheeran-speaks-on-gaza-in-concert-after-macklemore-controversy/a-79341971?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-xml-mrss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran addressed the Israel-Palestine conflict during a concert in Philadelphia on Saturday, the first show since a controversy erupted over US rapper Macklemore's removal from the tour. The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in Gaza, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths, was described by Sheeran as \"horrific.\" He also called Israel's subsequent war in Gaza, which killed over 70,000 people, \"catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.\" Sheeran further condemned the \"systemic injustice\" in the occupied West Bank, where Israel is expanding Jewish settlements, a move the United Nations has called a \"flagrant violation of international law.\"\n\nIn light of the controversy, Sheeran expressed his disappointment and admitted to making difficult decisions, apologizing for any mistakes. This stance contrasts with his earlier claim on Instagram that concert audiences \"do not expect a political forum.\" The tour faced backlash when Macklemore was dropped as a supporting act after he said \"Free Palestine\" during a US Loop Tour in New Jersey. Sheeran denied responsibility, attributing the issue to venues threatening to cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the tour. Subsequently, several other acts withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Sheeran's backing band. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field before Sheeran's concert, holding Palestinian flags and chanting \"Free, free Palestine.\" The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) called for a boycott of Sheeran's world tour.",
  "summary": "Sheeran called the Hamas-led attack in Israel \"horrific\" and described the war in Gaza as \"catastrophic and unjustifiable\" during his first concert since the Macklemore controversy erupted.",
  "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",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:12:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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 News",
        "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-8643642",
        "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."
}