British singer Ed Sheeran has apologized to fans following the controversy over rapper Macklemore's participation in his tour and spoke about his position on events in Gaza, reports infohub.kz.
The performer addressed his audience after American rapper Macklemore was removed from his tour lineup. Sheeran noted that he is used to criticism directed at his work.
"But this week the criticism was about something much more important, and I had to make difficult decisions. I make mistakes, and I am very, very sorry," he said before a concert in Philadelphia in the United States.
The singer emphasized that he has always tried to avoid political statements and wanted his music and concerts to bring people together rather than divide them.
"But this is a humanitarian issue, and I can no longer hide my feelings about it. The events in Israel and at the Nova festival were horrifying and encapsulated centuries of suffering of the Jewish people. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustified and disproportionate," Sheeran said.
He then expressed hope that at his concerts even people with opposing political views could support each other.
Sheeran's tour organizers had earlier removed American rapper Macklemore from the lineup of opening acts after he spoke out in support of Palestine. In solidarity with him, all other artists withdrew from the tour.