Paloma Faith: I say “Free Palestine” to my children before bed

Paloma Faith has revealed that she tells her children “Free Palestine” every night before bed, while criticising Ed Sheeran for refusing to speak out on the Gaza situation after all his support acts quit his US tour.

The 44-year-old British singer made the comments in an interview on Channel 4’s Fourcast podcast with Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

Faith, who has three children aged nine, six and six months, responded to Sheeran’s explanation that he avoids using his concerts as a political platform because his audiences include “young people, often children, of all backgrounds” who “do not expect a political forum.”

“That comment I don’t like,” Faith said.

“When he said that, it really upset me because there’s so many children in Palestine that are faced with unimaginable things and shouldn’t be. So when he said that, I was like ‘I say free Palestine to my children every night’. I think children should be exposed to politics.”

The controversy erupted after American rapper Macklemore was dropped from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian remarks during opening sets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.

Macklemore had declared “Free Palestine” and expressed solidarity with people in Gaza and the West Bank.

Sheeran stated that the decision was made by the promoter, not him, after venues indicated they would cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.

He said he had tried to find a resolution and noted the “suffering and pain caused on both sides.”

All remaining support acts then withdrew in solidarity, including Finneas (brother of Billie Eilish), Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk group Beoga, who had been performing with Sheeran.

Faith described Macklemore and the departing acts as “heroic” and rejected claims that his comments were inflammatory.

She questioned Sheeran’s claim of political neutrality, noting that the pair had previously performed together at a benefit concert to raise money for Ukraine.

“I did play a concert with Ed Sheeran to raise money for Ukraine. So he wasn’t apolitical by doing that. And I don’t really understand why one felt more political than the other,” she said.

Faith argued that “being apolitical is a political act in itself” and suggested that, ideologically, cancelling the rest of the tour would be the right step, while acknowledging potential insurance and financial complications for Sheeran's team.

Faith stressed she does not view Sheeran as a bad person but believes the situation was “really gravely mishandled.”

“It was a mistake. And I think he probably should come out and say it was a mistake,” she added.

Sheeran has said he will continue the tour.