West Ham United have completed the signing of Israeli winger Manor Solomon from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth an initial £5 million, potentially rising to £7 million with add-ons. The 27-year-old arrives in East London following a successful season at Leeds United, where he scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists in 39 league appearances, helping the club secure the Championship title.
Solomon's footballing pedigree is undeniable: he won two Ukrainian league titles with Shakhtar Donetsk, scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League, and netted in four consecutive Premier League games for Fulham. However, his political activism has made him a polarizing figure.
Since the October 2023 attacks by Palestinian groups, Solomon has used his social media platforms to voice support for Israel. He wrote on Instagram that "Israel has the right to defend itself" and urged followers to "Pray for Israel." During Israel's military campaign in Gaza, he shared posts accusing Palestinian groups of "killing their own people and blaming Israel," and responded to the "All Eyes on Rafah" trend by asking, "Where were your eyes on October 7?"
The signing has ignited a backlash among West Ham fans. While some supporters, like 28-year-old season-ticket holder Callum Gordon, prefer to focus on Solomon's footballing abilities and separate sports from politics, others, such as 20-year-old Iola Wright, express deep concern. Wright stated, "There is no denying he is a good footballer, but team spirit and a connection between the club and fans is the most important thing this season. This signing could have a negative impact on both of those things."
Solomon's military service in the Israeli army has also drawn criticism. He reportedly underwent basic training in 2018 before receiving elite-athlete status. While there is no evidence he served in a combat role, Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed from Gaza condemned West Ham's decision, citing hypocrisy in European football. According to the Palestine Football Association, over 1,000 members of Gaza's sporting community have been killed since the conflict began, including 565 footballers.
West Ham's social media accounts have been flooded with "Free Palestine" comments, though some fans have shown support by posting Israeli flag icons. The club has not yet responded to requests for comment. Solomon's representatives have also been contacted for their response.
Source: www.aljazeera.com