Ed Sheeran addressed the continuing conflict in Gaza during his return to the stage on Saturday night, after a week of controversy surrounding his Loop tour in North America.
The British singer appeared tearful on stage in Philadelphia, as he said: "What happened in Israel at a Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.
"My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives, and the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked."
Sheeran, 35, was speaking after the fallout from his Loop tour, which began when opening act Macklemore was removed from the line-up after delivering an onstage speech supporting Palestinians in Gaza.
Macklemore, real name Benjamin Haggerty, spoke out on Instagram, saying Sheeran had removed him because Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft said he wouldn't be able to perform there or at any other stadium under the Kraft group if Macklemore remained on the setlist.
Sheeran followed up with an Instagram post claiming, "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision; it was not mine." All of Sheeran's support acts - Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham - withdrew from the tour not long after the post was shared.
On stage last night, Sheeran said he wanted to publicly address where he stood on the situation of Israel and Palestine after trying in his career to remain apolitical.
"My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honouring my commitment to my fans is also completely central to who I am, and that is why I’m here tonight on my own and continuing my current tour.
"But I am deeply worried about the idea of venues pre-approving content of performers. This happens in so many places I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.
“This concert is still a place where everyone is welcome," he said.
Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside of Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, criticising Macklemore's removal and calling for greater attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The show went ahead as planned.
Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour?
During the two-minute speech, Macklemore told people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank that "we have not forgotten about them", before saying "free Palestine".
The comments prompted a petition from the Israeli-American Council calling for his removal, as well as objections from some venue owners. Among them was Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, where Sheeran was scheduled to perform.
Sheeran said last week that several stadium owners refused to host shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.
Broader reaction after Macklemore and Sheeran's statements
Hours after Sheeran's statement, the remaining performers began announcing their departures. Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother and a Grammy and Oscar-winning musician and producer, said he would no longer appear at the six South American shows.
"Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed," he wrote on Instagram. "I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people."
Rowe, who opened for Sheeran in Australia earlier this year, also withdrew despite describing the singer as a friend who had "changed my life".
"But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation," he wrote. "I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide."
Beoga also announced they would leave Sheeran's backing band for the remaining US dates, following what they described as "the silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies".
The traditional Irish band said the decision would not affect their friendship with Sheeran. "We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be," they said. "We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people."
Lukas Graham also withdrew, with frontman Lukas Forchhammer saying people should be free to speak about civilian suffering.
"We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them," he wrote. "Money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation."
Mackelmore followed up by refocusing attention on the plight of Palestinians, pledging a $ 1 million donation to relevant causes, and challenging Kraft to match his donation. Shortly after, his donation was matched by YouTube star Ms Rachel, who has also been vocal about the Palestinian cause.
Kraft responded: “I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.
