Ed Sheeran addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the first stop on his tour since rapper Macklemore was dropped following controversy over his pro-Palestinian remarks. Speaking to an audience of approximately 50,000 people, Sheeran acknowledged “centuries of Jewish pain” and condemned the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable.”

In a statement delivered before his performance, Sheeran stressed that he had generally avoided political commentary to keep his shows centered on unity and humanity rather than division and politics. However, he said the current crisis represents a humanitarian issue he could no longer ignore. He cited the attack on an Israeli music festival on October 7 as “horrific,” while also expressing concern over the response in Gaza, which he characterized as disproportionate.

Sheeran added that he was actively engaging with people across differing perspectives to determine how best to assist victims affected by the conflict, while acknowledging that he still has much to learn about the complexities of the situation.

The concert came in the wake of Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour following the rapper’s statement “Free Palestine!” and the display of graphic images from the Gaza war during his opening set at a prior concert in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The decision to remove Macklemore was influenced by venue owners, including Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, who stated Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at his facility. Other venues threatened to cancel Sheeran’s shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.

In response to the controversy, Sheeran’s other support acts and members of his touring band withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Although Sheeran did not name Kraft or other venue owners explicitly, he voiced concern about the increasing control venues exercise over performers’ content. He described this as a worrying trend, emphasizing that such censorship should not occur in free societies.

Requests for comment from Kraft’s representatives and the Israeli-American Council—which had organized a boycott against Macklemore after the New Jersey incident—were not immediately answered.

At the conclusion of the Philadelphia show, Sheeran spoke candidly about the emotional toll the past week had taken on him. He described it as one of the worst periods of his life, admitting he had questioned whether the tour would continue and even whether he wanted to remain an artist. Sheeran expressed gratitude to those in attendance, noting the support he felt amid what he described as feelings of abandonment by friends, family, and colleagues.

Acknowledging the uncertainties and potential risks of performing amid the controversy, he said the decision to go on stage was not an easy one. Nonetheless, he expressed appreciation for the audience’s positive response and the “love” he experienced during the concert.