ED SHEERAN has apologised for making “mistakes” amid a row over Macklemore being dropped from his tour following pro-Palestine comments.
The singer told fans he was “so, so sorry” as he took to the stage in Philadelphia for his first performance since the row erupted.
Sheeran also made rare reference to Israel's onslaught on Gaza, describing the situation as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate”.
It comes after every supporting act on Sheeran’s Loop Tour pulled out of the remaining dates in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from the line-up following comments he made in support of Palestine.
READ MORE: The rise of AI warfare has become a threat beyond control
Addressing the controversy on stage at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night, Sheeran said: “I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes and I'm so, so sorry for them.”
The 35-year-old said he had previously tried to avoid being a “political commentator” because he wanted his music and concerts to be about “unity” rather than division.
However, he added: “I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”
Sheeran described the October 7 attack on Israel and the Nova music festival as “horrific”, before addressing Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
READ MORE: All Scots can get behind trade union mission to help Ukraine’s children
“What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,” he said.
“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians' lives, children's lives.
“And the systemic injustice we are seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”
Sheeran also revealed the fallout from Macklemore's removal had left him questioning whether he wanted to continue performing.
“I really didn't know whether this tour would be carrying on,” he told the crowd.
“I really didn't know whether I'd be even getting on stage again, whether I even wanted to be an artist at all.
“In these situations, you really find out who your friends are, and it's been a weird week. I just feel like it happened very quickly.”
Macklemore had been due to support Sheeran on the tour but said on Monday that the singer and his team had “made the decision to remove” him.
READ MORE: Anas Sarwar says family firm director 'f*cked if I want him to be' in angry outburst
The rapper had told an audience at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium that he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
Sheeran disputed Macklemore's account of his removal in a statement on Tuesday, saying the decision had been made by promoters rather than himself.
He said upcoming venues had indicated they would pull shows if Macklemore remained on the bill and named Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, where Sheeran was due to perform, among them.
At the time, Sheeran said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and said he respected Macklemore “as an artist”.
Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Grammy-winning musician Finneas and Danish artist Lukas Graham are among the support acts to have since dropped out of Sheeran's tour, alongside his backing band Beoga.
A small pro-Palestine protest was held near the Philadelphia venue ahead of Saturday's concert.
Share