British singer Ed Sheeran has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore’s removal from his US tour, describing the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable” and acknowledging the difficult debate over freedom of speech that followed.

Sheeran made the comments during his first concert since Macklemore was dropped as an opening act, addressing the controversy from the stage at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday. He said he had never wanted to be an “activist musician” but found himself drawn into what he described as an important argument over free speech and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The controversy began after Macklemore voiced support for Palestinians during a September 4 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, including saying “Free Palestine.” He was subsequently removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour after venue owners objected to his inclusion, according to the tour promoter.

Macklemore’s removal triggered a wider backlash, with several other supporting acts withdrawing from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with the rapper. Sheeran later said the decision had been made by the promoter and that he had spent the week speaking with venues in an attempt to find a solution.

In Philadelphia, Sheeran apologised for the way he had handled the fallout and said he had been forced to make difficult decisions. He also expressed concern about venues becoming involved in determining what performers can say on stage, warning that such restrictions raise questions about freedom of expression.

While addressing Gaza, Sheeran also condemned the Hamas attacks in October 2023 as “horrific” and criticised the subsequent situation in Gaza as catastrophic, unjustifiable and disproportionate. He also referred to what he described as systemic injustice in the occupied West Bank.

The remarks represented a shift from Sheeran’s earlier position that his concerts were not intended to serve as political forums. Before the Philadelphia performance, he had said that fans came to his shows for music rather than political discussion, while maintaining that his concerts should remain spaces centred on unity and humanity.

The controversy has also divided opinion among concertgoers and protesters. Some fans said concerts should remain focused on music, while pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered near the Philadelphia venue to draw attention to conditions in Gaza and criticise Sheeran’s handling of Macklemore’s removal.

For Sheeran, the episode has turned a dispute over a tour opening act into a wider conversation about music, political expression and the responsibilities of artists and venues. His Philadelphia remarks made clear that, despite his longstanding reluctance to enter political debates, the controversy had placed him directly at the centre of one of the most contentious issues surrounding the music industry and the conflict in Gaza.