West Ham faces backlash over signing of ‘Israeli’ winger Manor Solomon
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West Ham United’s signing of ‘Israeli’ winger Manor Solomon has drawn online criticism from pro-Palestine supporters, who object to the player’s public defence of ‘Israel’ amid the ongoing war on Gaza.
The Championship club confirmed the transfer from Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year contract with an option for a further year.
The deal is reported to be worth an initial £5 million, potentially rising to £7 million with add-ons. Solomon, 27, becomes West Ham’s third permanent summer signing following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. He will wear the number 10 shirt.
Solomon won titles with Shakhtar Donetsk, scored in the Champions League, featured for Fulham in the Premier League, and played a role in Leeds United’s Championship-winning campaign in 2024-25 with 10 goals and 12 assists.
Last season he had loan spells at Villarreal and Fiorentina.
Upon joining, he said: “I know West Ham have a rich history both in the Premier League and in Europe. It’s a club that won a European trophy just three years ago… Of course, our first task is to get promoted, to go back to the Premier League… I want to be here for a long time and I want to make the fans really happy.”
The backlash centres on Solomon’s social media activity. In the weeks after the events of October 7, he posted that “Israel has the right to defend itself” and urged followers to “Pray for Israel.”
He later shared content accusing Palestinian groups of “killing their own people and blaming Israel” and responded to the “All Eyes on Rafah” trend with “Where were your eyes on October 7?”
Similar criticism followed his previous moves. At Villarreal in 2025, pro-Palestine accounts posted boycott calls and declared him unwelcome; he was later jeered and faced Palestinian flags during a match at Sevilla.
At Leeds, the club condemned a fans’ chant claiming he “hates Palestine.”
West Ham’s social media posts about the signing attracted replies of “Free Palestine” alongside ‘Israeli’ flag emojis from supporters.
