West Ham United Faces Fan Backlash Following the Signing of Israeli Winger Manor Solomon

Controversy surrounds European clubs that have featured Israeli winger Manor Solomon, whose footballing talent is undeniable. Having won two Ukrainian league titles with Shakhtar Donetsk, scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League, and netted goals in four consecutive Premier League games for Fulham, his abilities are clear. Most relevant to West Ham United is his Championship-winning 2024-25 season at Leeds United, where he recorded 10 goals and 12 assists in 39 league appearances. Following relegation from the Premier League, the London club acquired Solomon from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported initial fee of 5 million pounds ($6.75m), which could rise to 7 million pounds ($9.45m). West Ham’s board previously highlighted promotion as the club’s "unquestionable goal," but his arrival in east London has provoked an online backlash due to his history of using his public platform to support Israel.

Weeks after the October 2023 attacks by Palestinian groups, Solomon stated on Instagram that "Israel has the right to defend itself" and urged followers to "Pray for Israel." During subsequent military actions in Gaza, he shared a post accusing Palestinian groups of "killing their own people and blaming Israel." Responding to the viral "All Eyes on Rafah" trend, he questioned, "Where were your eyes on October 7?". He has also spoken about campaigning for Israeli captives and discussing Israel’s position with teammates. In September 2025, his transfer to Villarreal similarly drew criticism, with pro-Palestine accounts posting Palestinian flag icons and boycott calls. This hostility later spilled into the stadium, where Palestinian flags were displayed and Solomon was jeered during Villarreal’s match against Sevilla.

West Ham’s social media channels now face similar reactions regarding Solomon. While some users have posted "Free Palestine," others have defended the player with Israeli flag icons. At the time of publication, West Ham had not responded to Al Jazeera’s request for comment. Some fans argue that sport and politics should remain separate. Callum Gordon, a 28-year-old West Ham supporter and season-ticket holder, stated, "I prefer to separate politics and football, and like to focus on what he can bring as a player." Conversely, 20-year-old supporter Iola Wright expressed fundamental disagreement with Solomon’s social media statements concerning Gaza, noting that while he is a good footballer, team spirit and club-fan connection are crucial.

Al Jazeera contacted Solomon’s representatives for comment. Earlier this year, Solomon accused a Moroccan teammate of refusing to shake his hand and reported feeling isolated in the locker room. During his time at Leeds, the club condemned a chant suggesting Solomon "hates Palestine" and warned fans of potential bans. His military service in Israel has also drawn criticism. In 2018, Walla Sport reported that he completed basic military training while playing professionally before receiving elite-athlete status and modified conditions to move abroad, and The Guardian has described him as having served in the Israeli army, though no evidence indicates a combat role or participation in alleged abuses.

For Palestinian survivors of the conflict, however, his service is viewed as political. Abubaker Abed, a sports journalist from the Strip, criticized West Ham’s decision as hypocritical. According to the Palestine Football Association, 1,007 members of Gaza’s sporting community had been killed by February 12, 2026, including 565 in football, alongside 265 damaged facilities, prompting questions from critics regarding the integration of players who back the destruction of local sports infrastructure.