Ed Sheeran Calls Gaza Genocide “Unjustifiable,” Calls Out Robert Kraft For Silencing Macklemore’s Free Speech

Ed Sheeran broke his silence onstage in Philadelphia Saturday, calling Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable” as his Loop Tour resumed amid a widening controversy.

During his first concert since Macklemore’s removal triggered a week of turmoil, Sheeran told the Lincoln Financial Field crowd that civilian deaths in Gaza had left him devastated.

“What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable, and disproportionate. Our hearts can be broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, children’s lives and the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” Ed Sheeran said.

Sheeran also acknowledged the pressure surrounding the tour and apologized for his handling of decisions that followed Macklemore’s removal from the lineup.

“I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes and I’m so, so sorry for them,” Sheeran told the crowd.

Outside Lincoln Financial Field, about 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered near Broad and Pattison streets before the show, waving flags, carrying signs and chanting, according to CBS Philadelphia.

The backlash began after Macklemore performed “Hind’s Hall” at MetLife Stadium, showed Gaza imagery and declared “Free Palestine” during his opening set.

AllHipHop previously reported Robert Kraft confirmed blocking Macklemore from Gillette Stadium, saying the rapper’s rhetoric and imagery were offensive to Jewish communities.

Macklemore later pledged his $1 million in Loop Tour earnings to Palestinian aid organizations and challenged Kraft to match the contribution.

Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga then withdrew from Sheeran’s tour, leaving Philadelphia without the announced supporting acts that had been scheduled.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said officers would protect demonstrations while adding resources around the stadium for security and crowd management.

“We’ll give people the opportunity to express their first amendment right as long as they don’t engage in illegal and inappropriate behavior,” Bethel said. “But we have a layered approach. So, we’ll have additional assets in the stadium area to address that.”

That stands in contrast to Robert Kraft, the billionaire NFL boss and owner of the New England Patriots, who pressured other stadium owners to silence Macklemore’s First Amendment right to free speech, and have him kicked off the tour because he opposed his statements.

“This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world,” Ed Sheeran said, acknowledging and the problem Kraft has caused.

Sheeran’s Loop Tour is scheduled to continue September 25 and 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where Kraft’s company operates the venue.