Pro-Palestine football fans lament West Ham for signing Manor Solomon

What the report says

West Ham United’s signing of Israeli winger Manor Solomon has drawn criticism from pro-Palestine football fans and social media users, even as the club points to his record as a reason for the move. Al Jazeera reports that the 27-year-old joined West Ham from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal said to be worth an initial £5 million, with the fee potentially rising to £7 million, after a strong season at Leeds United in which he helped the club win the Championship.

The backlash centers on Solomon’s public comments and posts about Israel since the October 2023 attacks, including messages defending Israel’s actions and responding to pro-Palestinian campaigns online. The article says some fans object to his political views, while others argue he should be assessed mainly as a footballer. West Ham had not responded to Al Jazeera’s request for comment at the time of publication.

The report also places the controversy in a wider context of tensions around football, the war in Gaza, and the treatment of Israeli players abroad. Solomon has faced similar criticism at previous clubs, including Villarreal and Leeds, where chants and protests prompted club responses. Al Jazeera notes that criticism has also followed reports of his military service in Israel, though it says there is no evidence he served in a combat role or personally took part in abuses.