Printed On 13 Aug 2026
For West Ham United, there may be an apparent argument for signing 27-year-old Manor Solomon: his footballing expertise, which has been evident all through his profession.
He received two Ukrainian league titles with Shakhtar Donetsk and scored towards Actual Madrid within the Champions League, earlier than later scoring in 4 consecutive Premier League video games for Fulham. Most related to West Ham, nevertheless, was his Championship-winning 2024-25 season at Leeds United, the place he scored 10 targets and equipped 12 assists in 39 league appearances.
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Relegated from the Premier League, the London membership has signed the Israeli winger from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal reportedly value an preliminary 5 million kilos ($6.75m), doubtlessly rising to 7 million kilos ($9.45m).
West Ham’s board described promotion because the membership’s “unquestionable aim”.
However the participant’s arrival in east London has sparked an internet backlash as Solomon has repeatedly used his public platform to help Israel.
Weeks after the October 2023 assaults by Palestinian teams, he wrote on Instagram that “Israel has the proper to defend itself” and urged followers to “Pray for Israel”. Throughout Israel’s genocide in Gaza, he shared a put up accusing Palestinian teams of “killing their very own individuals and blaming Israel”.
Responding to the viral “All Eyes on Rafah” development, he posted, “The place had been your eyes on October 7?” He has additionally spoken publicly about campaigning for Israeli captives and explaining Israel’s place to teammates.
In September 2025, his arrival at Villarreal additionally upset some, with pro-Palestine accounts posting Palestinian flag icons, boycott calls and messages declaring him unwelcome on the Spanish membership. The hostility later reached the stadium, the place Palestinian flags had been displayed and Solomon was jeered throughout Villarreal’s go to to Sevilla.
West Ham’s social media accounts now function comparable replies on posts regarding Solomon. A number of customers have posted “Free Palestine”, however others have proven help for Solomon, including the Israeli flag icons to their feedback. On the time of publishing, West Ham had not responded to Al Jazeera’s request for remark.
The talk exposes one in every of soccer’s frequent responses to controversy: that sport and politics ought to stay separate.
Some West Ham followers say Solomon ought to be judged primarily as a footballer.
“I want to separate politics and soccer, and wish to concentrate on what he can carry as a participant,” Callum Gordon, 28, a lifelong West Ham supporter and season-ticket holder, advised Al Jazeera.
Iola Wright, a 20-year-old West Ham supporter, mentioned she “inherently” disagrees with Solomon’s social media posts “in regard to what I imagine is a genocide in Gaza”.
“There isn’t any denying he is an efficient footballer, however crew spirit and a connection between the membership and followers is an important factor this season,” she added. “This signing may have a damaging affect on each of these issues.”
Al Jazeera has contacted Solomon’s representatives for remark.
Earlier this 12 months, he accused a Moroccan teammate of refusing to shake his hand and claimed to have felt remoted within the locker room.
Throughout his season at Leeds, the membership condemned a chant together with the road that Solomon “hates Palestine” and warned supporters of bans.
His service within the Israeli army has additionally develop into a function of the criticism he faces.
In 2018, Walla Sport, an Israeli information outlet, reported that he undertook fundamental army coaching whereas enjoying professionally, earlier than receiving elite-athlete standing and lighter situations permitting him to pursue a transfer overseas. The Guardian has described him as having “served within the Israeli military”. There isn’t any proof he served in a fight function or personally participated in alleged abuses.
For Palestinian survivors of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, nevertheless, his service shouldn’t be seen as politically impartial.
Abubaker Abed, a sports activities journalist from the Strip, mentioned West Ham’s resolution displays a double normal.
“Soccer governing our bodies and most golf equipment in Europe and the UK have develop into drunk on sheer hypocrisy and selective outrage,” he mentioned.
In line with the Palestine Soccer Affiliation, 1,007 members of Gaza’s sporting neighborhood had been killed by February 12, 2026, together with 565 in soccer, whereas 265 amenities had been broken.
“How can these footballers … be trusted in golf equipment whereas backing the destruction of Gaza, together with golf equipment and stadiums?”
