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<\/a><\/p>\nFans arrive for English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 19, 2026. (Photo by Matthew Hatcher \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
It was the tour\u2019s first stop since Macklemore was dropped following pro-Palestinian remarks and the display of images from the Gaza war during his opening set.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind because I want my music and shows to be about unity not division, about humanity not politics,\u201d he said in a speech before the music began.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore. What happened in Israel at a \u2026 music festival on Oct. 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening and learning because I do not know enough,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
His views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict took center stage after the rapper Macklemore declared \u201cFree Palestine!\u201d in front of graphic Gaza war imagery during his opening performance for Sheeran in East Rutherford, New Jersey, earlier this month. <\/p>\n
Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, where another stop was scheduled, said Macklemore would not be allowed to perform there, and other stadiums threatened to cancel Sheeran\u2019s shows unless Macklemore was removed from the bill.<\/p>\n
After Macklemore was dropped, Sheeran\u2019s other support acts and touring band withdrew one by one in solidarity.<\/p>\n
Sheeran didn\u2019t mention Kraft or any other venue owners by name in his remarks. But he said, \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kraft\u2019s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
The Israeli-American Council, which organized a boycott against Macklemore following the New Jersey was also not immediately available to comment on Sheeran\u2019s remarks.<\/p>\n
Sheeran spoke more personally at the end of the show, saying that the last week was one of the worst of his life. \u201cI didn\u2019t know if this tour would be carrying on. I really didn\u2019t know if I\u2019d even be getting on stage again, or if I wanted to be an artist at all,\u201d he said to the concert attendees.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is telling me to cancel and I\u2019m feeling all my friends and family and people I know abandon me and I look at the end of the week. And I see 50,000 people who haven\u2019t abandoned me,\u201d he said as at least some portion of the crowd roared their approval.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis wasn\u2019t the easy option tonight,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t know what was going to happen. I didn\u2019t know if I\u2019d be safe or you\u2019d be safe or if things would be thrown at me or if people would boo. But I\u2019ve felt so much love from you guys. I\u2019m so grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n