Resurfaced Ed Sheeran video sparks outrage

• Sheeran said the phrase "Free Palestine" and the Palestinian flag image had been called hurtful by people he'd spoken with, and ultimately "couldn't get past" his public "I don't take sides" stance. 
• A 2022 clip where he told Ukrainian band Antytila (turned soldiers) "I love you, I stand with you," ahead of headlining the "Concert for Ukraine" benefit went viral, sparking outrage. 

Ed Sheeran is facing a wave of online criticism this week after rapper Macklemore said he had been removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran's "Loop Tour" following pro-Palestinian comments he made onstage, a move that reignited an old Ed Sheeran clip in which the singer declared solidarity with Ukraine, and left many fans accusing him of hypocrisy and selective outrage.  

What happened with Macklemore

Macklemore, who opened for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sep. 4 and 5, repeatedly called for a "Free Palestine" during his sets and performed his song "Hind's Hall," which references the war in Gaza.

 In the days that followed, several stadiums on the tour's remaining U.S. schedule — including venues in Philadelphia, Foxborough, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Charlotte and Arlington, reportedly told tour promoter Messina Touring Group they would not host the concert if Macklemore stayed on the bill.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been named by Macklemore as a driving force behind the pressure campaign, and the ‘Israeli’ American Council separately launched a petition calling for his removal.

 On Monday, Messina Touring Group confirmed Macklemore "will not be performing on the remaining support dates," and Macklemore posted a lengthy Instagram statement about being cut from the tour.

Macklemore also gave an account of a private conversation with Sheeran. 

According to Macklemore, Sheeran told him that the words "Free Palestine" and the image of the Palestinian flag had been described to him as hurtful by people he'd spoken with, and that Sheeran ultimately "couldn't get past his public-facing" position of not taking sides on the conflict.

The resurfaced Ukraine video

Ed "I don't take sides and do politics" Sheeran. pic.twitter.com/zjekMeoWfO

— Mukhtar (@I_amMukhtar) September 14, 2026

As the story spread, social media users began recirculating a 2022 clip of Sheeran responding on TikTok to the Ukrainian band Antytila, whose members had swapped instruments for combat gear after Russia's invasion. 

In the video, filmed ahead of his performance at the "Concert for Ukraine" benefit show in Birmingham, Sheeran told the band and their country directly: "I love you, I stand with you." Sheeran went on to headline the fundraiser, later collaborated with Antytila's frontman on a reworked version of his song "2step," and donated royalties from the track to a Ukraine humanitarian appeal.

For critics, the contrast between that unambiguous message of support and Sheeran's supposedly neutral posture on ‘Israel’ and Gaza has become the crux of the backlash. 

Online users have left a litany of comments including “This isn't looking great for Ed Sheeran",and  “Ed Sheeran, who claims to be "apolitical," meaning right-wing, sure did put on a concert in support of Ukraine”.

Others have called for a boycott of the British singer.

Read more: Ms. Rachel slams Ed Sheeran over Macklemore row