PHILADELPHIA — Ed Sheeran said at his concert Saturday that the Oct.7 attacks on Israel were “horrific” but that the plight of civilians in Gaza is “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”He expressed his feelings while addressing the crowd during the opening of his one-man concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, the first since since artist Macklemore was controversially removed from Sheeran’s “Loop” tour over his pro-Palestinian advocacy.
“This is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,” Sheeran said.The comments followed a week of turmoil for the artist, including protests outside the venue ahead of Saturday’s show.Macklemore, who had originally been scheduled to open the show, said he was dropped after he made pro-Palestinian remarks during the opening of Sheeran’s tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this week.He alleged New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, a staunch supporter of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, organized a stadium boycott that forced him off the tour.Sheeran said the week brought him difficult decisions, some of which ended in mistakes.
“I am so, so sorry,” he said.“I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician,” Sheeran said.“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 expressed worry about the idea that venues could “pre-approve content” for artists but said he would continue to perform on his current tour dates because honoring his commitment to fans is paramount.The controversy over Macklemore’s stance fired up demonstrators who support the plight of people in the Gaza Strip amid warfare between Israel and Hamas militants.Ahead of the concert Saturday, dozens of people gathered at Pattinson Avenue and Broad Street, just outside the stadium, to participate in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.Demon...