'What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic': Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore row

Ed Sheeran on Saturday addressed the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore’s removal from his US tour, saying he could no longer “hide” how he feels about the Israel-Palestine conflict.The controversy began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during Sheeran’s September 4 and 5 shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, including saying “Free Palestine” and performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall”.Speaking at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Sheeran opened his solo concert by addressing the controversy and the wider debate over free speech that has engulfed his Loop Tour.“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, 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,” Sheeran said.He acknowledged that he had made “mistakes” while navigating the difficult decisions surrounding the controversy.