Roger Waters Blasts Ed Sheeran Over Silence on Palestine Conflict
Pink Floyd co-founder and longtime political activist Roger Waters, 83, has launched a scathing attack on Ed Sheeran, 35, over the latter’s decision to remain silent on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Waters posted a short video to his social media accounts on Wednesday, September 16, calling Sheeran a “little p***k” and accusing him of doing “the wrong thing.”
Background: Sheeran’s Statement and Tour Fallout
The controversy erupted after Sheeran issued a statement explaining that his concerts are not a “political forum.” The statement came in response to venues reportedly informing him that opening act Macklemore would not be welcome due to pro-Palestine remarks made on stage. Sheeran wrote:
“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”
He added that his supporters “do not expect a political forum” when they attend his shows, saying he instead hopes gigs are a “place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”
The fallout was swift. Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Finneas (Billie Eilish’s brother), Sheeran’s backing band Beoga, and Danish pop group Lukas Graham all withdrew from the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.
Celebrity Backlash Grows
Criticism extended beyond the music industry. Children’s YouTuber Ms Rachel said Sheeran was wrong to be silent
, while Hacks star and comedian Hannah Einbinder posted on Instagram that she hopes the Grammy winner gets a REALLY bad sun burn
.
Waters’ Fiery Video Message
On Wednesday morning, Waters entered the fray with a video that opens with the words: Ed who?
The clip shows Waters displaying portraits of his Palestinian friends, including journalist and activist Bisan Owda. He then addresses Sheeran directly:
Hey, its just a little message for Ed Sheeran.
There’s two kinds of people in this world, Ed. There’s people who do the right thing – that rapper Macklemore would be one of those people.And there’s people, many of them, sadly… little f…excuse me, I nearly used the f word then. P***ks like you who do the wrong thing. Goodbye.
Waters’ Longstanding Advocacy for Palestine
Waters has used his platform to support Palestine for years. During a 2024 appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said:
I am prepared to admit that I am in tears over Gaza every morning when I wake up. I’m only 80-years-old, I have never experienced the genocide of a whole people in front of my eyes. It’s happening every day, every day.
In a July interview with Tucker Carlson, Waters described visiting the occupied West Bank:
I saw the apartheid. I saw what was happening…they’ve created hell on Earth.
He vowed to be vocal
and do anything that I could to help my Palestinian brothers and sisters to achieve equal human rights.
Waters claimed opponents have tried to destroy his career but added: They have failed. I fight back.
He clarified his stance, stating he has nothing against Jewish people
and couldn’t care less what religion anybody is
, telling Carlson: Every word I’ve ever written is about encouraging empathy.
