West Ham United have urged their fans to stop singing a chant containing an 'anti-Palestine message' directed at new signing Manor Solomon, as the club prepares for its first home match of the Championship season.
The east London club issued a lengthy statement on Thursday, saying it was aware of an 'offensive and divisive' chant sung by a section of its supporters during the opening league match against Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
In the statement, West Ham said it wanted to 'remind supporters of the responsibility we all hold to represent the club in the right way' and stressed that 'each and every supporter is an ambassador'. The statement went on: 'Regardless of their background, every supporter within our diverse fanbase should also be free to enjoy watching their team play football without fear, discrimination or abuse. And we remain committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe, respected and included.'
The club acknowledged that singing and chanting is a 'traditional and deeply embedded part of the matchday experience' but encouraged supporters to 'sing loud and proud about their football club and the players wearing the claret and blue shirt – but never in a way that creates division or causes offence among fellow fans.'
West Ham, who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, host Charlton Athletic at the London Stadium on Saturday.
The club's decision to sign Solomon has generated considerable debate. The 27-year-old Israeli winger signed from Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year deal in a move reportedly worth £5 million ($6.75m), potentially rising to £7 million ($9.45m). His arrival was followed by mixed responses on West Ham's social media accounts, with replies featururing both 'Free Palestine' messages and Israeli flag icons.
Solomon has built a strong footballing CV: he won two Ukrainian league titles with Shakhtar Donetsk and scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League, before scoring in four consecutive Premier League games for Fulham. Most recently, he helped Leeds United win the Championship in the 2024-25 season, scoring 10 goals and supplying 12 assists in 39 league appearances. (The BBC reports that he won three titles during his time in Ukraine.) He has been capped 49 times by Israel.
Off the pitch, Solomon has been an outspoken supporter of Israel. Weeks after the October 2023 attacks by Palestinian armed groups, 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 a post accusing Palestinian groups of 'killing their own people' and blaming Israel. Responding to the 'All Eyes on Rafah' social media trend, he posted 'Where were your eyes on October 7?' He has also spoken publicly about campaigning and for the release of Israeli captives and about explaining Israel's position to his teammates.
His perceived support for Israel has followed him through his recent career. In September 2025, his arrival at Villarreal also provoked reactions, with pro-Palestine accounts posting Palestinian flag icons, boycott calls and messages saying he was unwelcome. Palestinian flags were displayed and Solomon was jeered during Villarreal's visit to Sevilla.
Solomon's military service has also become a focus of criticism. In 2018, the Israeli sports site Walla Sport reported that he had undertaken basic military training before receiving elite-athlete status. The Guardian has described him as having 'served in the Israeli army'. There is no evidence that Solomon served in a combat role or personally participated in any alleged abuses.
Earlier this year, Solomon accused a Moroccan teammate of refusing to shake his hand and said he felt isolated in the locker room. During his loan spell at Leeds in the 2024-25 season, the club condemned a chant that included the line that Solomon 'hates Palestine' and warned of fan bans.
West Ham supporters are divided over the signing. Callum Gordon, a 28-year-old season-ticket holder and lifelong fan, said he prefers to keep politics separate from sport, adding: 'I focus on what he can bring as a player.' In contrast, Iola Wright, a 20-year-old supporter, said she inherently disagrees with Solomon's social media posts regarding Gaza, which she believes is a genocide, and worries the signing could negatively affect team spirit and the relationship between the club and its fans.
Some voices see a double standard at play. Abubaker Abed, a sports journalist from Gaza, said West Ham's decision to sign Solomon reflects a double standard. He argued that football governing bodies and most clubs in Europe and the UK have become 'drunk' on 'sheer hypocrisy' and 'selective outrage'. According to the Palestinian Football Association, 1,007 members of Gaza's sporting community had been killed by February 12, 2026, including 565 in football, with 265 facilities damaged. Al Jazeera reported at the time that West Ham had not yet responded to its request for comment; the outlet also said it had contacted Solomon's representatives.