Social media users say Ed Sheeran's apology "is not enough"

On Saturday, Sep. 19, Sheeran walked out alone at Lincoln Financial Field and addressed the backlash directly, apologizing for "making mistakes" in how the situation was handled. In his words, "I am making mistakes, and I'm so so sorry." The apology came at the end of a chaotic week in which he lost his entire lineup of opening acts. 

This caused an uproar on social media, with many slamming the singer's apology as insufficient.

How it started

The controversy began at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Rapper Macklemore, who was opening for Sheeran, made remarks to the crowd that included the phrase "Free Palestine" before performing his protest anthem "Hind's Hall." The song, released in 2024, was written in response to the campus protests over the war in Gaza. He also gave a two-minute speech saying he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they were not forgotten.

The pushback came quickly. His comments drew criticism from the singer Pink and a petition against his appearances. Several advocacy groups criticized him, and the 'Israeli' American Council called for his removal from the tour.

Macklemore said his criticism of 'Israel' shouldn't be read as criticism of Jewish people. Separately, he has previously faced criticism over a costume at a Seattle show that some called antisemitic. He apologized then, saying it wasn't meant as a caricature of a Jewish man. Fellow opening acts quit after Ed Sheeran tour drops Macklemore.

The removal

On Monday, Sep. 14, Macklemore announced on Instagram that he had been dropped from the rest of the US dates. He blamed Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium. Macklemore said Kraft had "rallied some of the other stadium owners" and given Sheeran an ultimatum: if Macklemore stayed on the tour, Sheeran would not be allowed to play in their venues. He also said Sheeran told him the words "Free Palestine" and the Palestinian flag were hurtful to many people Sheeran had spoken with.

Kraft confirmed the decision. His statement cited Macklemore's recent actions, the New Jersey shows, and "a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery" that Kraft said was deeply offensive to the Jewish community. The tour's promoter, Messina Touring Group, said multiple venues would not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, and confirmed he would no longer perform on his scheduled dates. Sheeran has said the promoter and venues made the decision. 

The Philadelphia apology

Sheeran's Saturday remarks were his first in person on the matter. He said he had never wanted to be an activist musician and that the situation had put him in the middle of an argument about free speech and "the most complex political issue on the planet." He said he was deeply worried about venues pre-approving the content of performances. He called the situation in Gaza "catastrophic" and "unjustifiable," and said what happened in 'Israel' on Oct. 7, 2023 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain.

Outside, a few dozen protesters waved flags near the stadium. 

"Not enough": the online reaction

Many social media users said the apology fell short. Some doubted it was sincere at all. One user joked, "Big up chat GBT," implying the statement sounded machine-written. Another wrote that "he really is reading the teleprompter."

Others said the apology skipped the one thing they wanted to hear. "Ed just Free Palestine and we're good, I know you wanna say it," one commenter wrote.

The sharpest criticism was aimed at Sheeran's description of the issue as "complex." One user asked: "Why do THEY act like 7th October was the START of this 'complex political issue'?" Another put it more bluntly: "This isnt a complex political issue. It is actually an EASY choice to say you hate genocide."

Next on Sheeran's calendar are two shows at Gillette Stadium on September 25 and 26. It is the venue where Kraft said Macklemore would not be allowed to perform.

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