Ed Sheeran apologizes for 'making mistakes,' says situation in Gaza 'unjustifiable'

Ed Sheeran apologizes for 'making mistakes,' says situation in Gaza is 'unjustifiable' Ed Sheeran breaks silence after Macklemore dropped from tour Andy Kropa/AP Photo ByJack Moore September 19, 2026, PM Ed Sheeran opened his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday apologizing to fans for "making mistakes" after his tour was thrust into controversy earlier this week and saying the situation in Gaza is "catastrophic and unjustifiable." The English superstar's comments come after opening act Macklemore was dropped from the tour over pro-Palestinian comments he made from the stage at an earlier show in New Jersey. In the wake of that decision, the rest of the opening acts for Sheeran's tour announced they would also be withdrawing from the tour. In his remarks to the audience at Lincoln Financial Field, Sheeran said he has had to make difficult decisions in the past week adding, "and I am making mistakes and I'm so, so sorry." Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran performs during "Ed Sheeran's Play: Live from New York" presented , Sept. 13, 2025. Andy Kropa/AP Photo Related Ed Sheeran speaks out after Macklemore dropped from tour over pro-Palestinian comments Sheeran said he has traditionally stayed out of politics. "I've never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet," he said. Addressing the Israel-Hamas war, Sheeran began . 7, 2023. "What happened in Israel at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain," Sheeran said. "What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken ' lives, of children's lives." The controversy began unfolding earlier this week when Macklemore announced on Monday he had been dropped from Sheeran's tour after making pro-Palestinian comments on stage at MetLife Stadium earlier this month, which the rapper also posted to social media. Prince Harry attends 1st official engagement since return to UK Sep 17 Woman found dead in suitcase is identified 2 days ago Twin sisters conjoined at head underwent successful separation surgery: Hospital Sep 16 In a video from the New Jersey show posted to his Instagram account, Macklemore says, "One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour, was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America, and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart.