ED SHEERAN began a concert on Saturday by declaring that events in Gaza are “catastrophic and unjustifiable,” seeking to repair his image amid the furore sparked by opening act Macklemore being dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.

After taking to the stage alone, the British singer-songwriter said: “I don’t want to disappoint fans and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.”

He also said that the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel had been horrific.

US rapper Macklemore was thrown off the tour in response to his exclaiming “Free Palestine” during a September 5 show in New Jersey.

Though the British singer-songwriter blamed the tour promoter for the decision, his other supporting acts pulled out in protest.

Sheeran had previously insisted that he wouldn’t be drawn into discussion of Gaza, but he “spoke with the venues at length all week to try to build a bridge” before Macklemore was dropped.

Experts say, however, that artists of his magnitude generally have the final say on what happens at their shows.