Ed Sheeran rarely talks politics. The Macklemore controversy has put him at the centre of it

Ed Sheeran has built one of the world's biggest music careers while largely avoiding one of the more divisive parts of modern celebrity: politics.

The English singer has spoken publicly about some causes over the years, including performing at a major benefit concert for Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion. But he has generally resisted using his concerts as a political platform, something he says is deliberate.

Now, Macklemore's removal from his United States tour has drawn Sheeran into a political debate he has largely sought to avoid.

In less than two weeks, Macklemore has made a high-profile pro-Palestinian speech while opening for Sheeran, been removed from his remaining US tour dates, and been followed out the door by four other acts.

Sheeran has insisted the decision to remove the American rapper wasn't his and says he spent days trying to prevent it.

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But the fallout has nevertheless dragged the 35-year-old singer into a highly charged debate over the Israel-Gaza conflict, antisemitism and the role, or responsibility, of artists to use their platforms to take a political stand.

And it has forced Sheeran to publicly explain why, unlike Macklemore, he generally chooses not to.

"I have my personal views on this devastating conflict," Sheeran wrote in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram this week.

"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."

The dispute began on 4 September, when Macklemore was performing as a support act on Sheeran's Loop Tour at a New Jersey stadium.

Introducing his 2024 protest song Hind's Hall, the rapper told the crowd that part of the reason he wanted to join the tour was to use its enormous stadium audiences to amplify his support for Palestinians.

"A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: 'Free Palestine'," Macklemore said.

The following day, he again addressed the conflict, telling Jewish members of the audience that his criticism of Israel was not criticism of them.