Ed Sheeran calls Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ after Palestine controversy
The British singer addresses fans at his concert in Philadelphia as his US Loop Tour resumes.
First reported 18 hours ago · latest update 2 hours ago
British pop star Ed Sheeran has made his first comments on the controversy that plunged his North America Loop Tour into turmoil, saying that the situation in Gaza is “catastrophic”, “unjustifiable” and “disproportionate”.
Sheeran made the remarks as he opened his show at the Lincoln Financial Field stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his tour resumed on Saturday night.
The pop singer has faced a wave of criticism after his opening act, American rapper Macklemore, was dropped from the lineup over his pro-Palestine comments at a concert in New Jersey earlier this month.
Macklemore’s comments drew backlash from owners of stadiums hosting Sheeran’s future tour dates. Sheeran has denied being behind the decision, blaming the tour promoter.
All of Sheeran’s four supporting acts, including American singer Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, Finneas, walked out on Sheeran, issuing public statements citing their support for Palestinians.
Finneas and his sister have been outspoken about their support for Palestine before.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” he said on Instagram last Tuesday, adding: “I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Hillary Steinberg, 34, of Philadelphia, said she got tickets a year ago but got a refund and attended the demonstration instead, disappointed that Sheeran did not take a stand.
“I was, until this week, a big Ed Sheeran fan,” Steinberg told the Associated Press news agency. “I think all art is political, and all music is political, and so this choice, even though he was saying that he wasn’t complicit, is a political choice.”
The controversy did not matter to concertgoers who spoke to the Reuters news agency on Saturday before Sheeran took to the stage.
Joy VanRuler, 55, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, said she supports both Sheeran and Macklemore.
“It doesn’t need to be political,” VanRuler said. “It’s about the music, and we support both of them and it’s all good.”
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Ed Sheeran calls Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ after Palestine controversy
The British singer addresses fans at his concert in Philadelphia as his US Loop Tour resumes.
18 hours agoPop star Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ following controversy
The singer maintained an apolitical stance but broke his silence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his first show since the controversy began.
16 hours ago