Ed Sheeran is speaking out.
A day after it was formally announced that Macklemore would no longer be continuing with Ed on his Loop Tour, the Shape of You singer is sharing his piece of the conversation.
Macklemore was fired after controversy over his ‘Free Palestine’ demonstration on stage during their September 4 and September 5 shows grew to a boiling point. In a statement he released via Instagram, he acknowledged Ed was in a tough spot but lamented feeling like Ed couldn’t “get past” his “public facing” stance of neutrality.
“Ed was in a fucked up position. He knew it. His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before. He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with. I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood. But he couldn’t get past his public facing, ‘I don’t take sides.’ And I get why people don’t. Taking a side can cost you.”
Macklemore says “there is no neutral position” when it comes to what’s been happening in Palestine and says “refusing to take a side doesn’t leave you in the middle.”
He also made it clear that it wasn’t Ed behind the call. Instead, he claimed billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was the main player behind the move.
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Swipe through his post below to read his statement in full:
View this post on Instagram
Now, on Tuesday, Ed has released his own statement. He starts by telling everyone he is “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” stating the “suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy.” He then explains how the decision to drop Macklemore came about:
“After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting. I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft. I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.”
He says the call was ultimately “the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.” And further explains, “Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”
He also says his shows have always been a place for “unity, joy, escapism, love, and a place for everyone to feel welcome,” and while he generally chooses to stay silent regarding such issues, that shouldn’t be conflated with complicity. He writes:
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
To further drive his point, he specifically cites children as the main reason for not being more vocal when it comes to politics. Since they’re apart of his audience, he doesn’t feel comfortable making his shows about anything other than the music:
“There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.”
While he respects Macklemore’s “strength of purpose” and courage to “stand up and shout” his beliefs, Ed believes “there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.”
“I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. There are different approaches to being an advocate for change.”
Concluding his message, he regrets he was “unable” to “build bridges” over the past week, but remains steadfast in his approach and values:
“I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.”
Swipe through his Instagram post (below) to read his full statement:
View this post on Instagram
Thoughts on how he responded? Let us know in the comments.
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