Photo: Collected
British pop star Ed Sheeran has described the ongoing situation in Gaza as ‘horrific, unjust and unreasonable’. He spoke publicly on the matter for the first time on Saturday, after facing criticism over the removal of touring artist Macklemore from the tour. News agency AFP reported this.
Sheeran, 35, had earlier denied any involvement of his own in the decision to remove Macklemore from the tour. He blamed the tour’s organiser or promoter for the decision.
At the start of his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sheeran said, ‘What is happening in Gaza is horrific, unjust, unreasonable and excessive.’
This was Sheeran’s first concert since the controversy surrounding Macklemore. The controversy began after Macklemore chanted the slogan ‘Free Palestine’ at a concert in New Jersey this month. After that, the owners of the stadiums where the upcoming shows of the ‘Loop Tour’ are due to be held criticised his remarks. Later, four supporting artists of Sheeran’s tour withdrew from the tour and expressed support for the Palestinians in public statements.
At the concert, an emotional Sheeran told the audience, ‘I have had to make some hard decisions, and I have also had to make some wrong decisions. I am truly sorry for that.’ The audience responded to these remarks with applause and cheers.
Critics spoke out against Sheeran for not standing by Macklemore. They allege that Sheeran did not support Macklemore under pressure from stadium owners led by billionaire businessman Robert Kraft. A call was also made to boycott Sheeran’s shows over the incident.
Before the concert on Saturday, dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. They held Palestinian flags in their hands and chanted the slogan ‘Free, free Palestine’. Officers in about a dozen police cars kept watch on the peaceful gathering from a distance.
Several audience members who came to the stadium said they had been in two minds about whether to come to the concert because of the controversy. In the end, they decided to come and enjoy the music.
However, Brandon Ateke, an 18-year-old student of Brown University, cancelled his plan to go to the concert. He alleges that Sheeran, along with Kraft and others, is also ‘involved’ in the silencing of Macklemore. He told AFP, ‘I have decided to join the protest instead of going to the concert in order to bring the ongoing genocide in Gaza before everyone.’
Although a growing number of artists have spoken out publicly against the violence in Gaza and by settlers in the West Bank, Sheeran had so far refrained from taking a public position on political issues.
In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, he wrote, ‘I have personal opinions about this horrific conflict. Not speaking publicly does not mean that I have no opinions.’ However, he further said, ‘Those who come to my shows do not come to take part in a political forum.’
Meanwhile, on Saturday a pro-Palestinian organisation called on artists, audiences and concert workers to stay away from Sheeran’s concerts. In a statement, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) called for a boycott of Sheeran’s entire world tour, including the upcoming Latin America tour and the Europe tour that has not yet been announced.
At Saturday’s concert, Sheeran took the stage alone; no opening or supporting artist was with him. Those who withdrew from the tour include members of Sheeran’s backing band. Besides, singer and musician Finneas has also left the tour. Finneas gained recognition by working with his sister, pop star Billie Eilish.
Since October 2023, the Gaza war and the question of Palestinians’ rights have become increasingly important in the entertainment arena as well. After the Hamas attack that month, Israel launched a massive military operation in Gaza. The issue of the Gaza war has come up repeatedly at the Oscars, the Emmys and various music award ceremonies, and at European film festivals too.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 73,800 Palestinians have so far been killed in Israel’s massive military operation. Although the ministry is Hamas-controlled, the United Nations considers the figures it publishes reliable.
On Saturday, authorities in Gaza said at least four people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed in the latest shelling by Israeli forces.
