Pro-Palestine activists labeled West Ham player Manor Solomon a baby killer due to his past service in the Israel Defense Forces. Demonstrators demanded that the club expel the Israeli athlete during a campaign supported by local politicians.
A group of masked and hooded individuals filmed a recording outside the sports team home venue located at London Stadium in east London, directing threats at the winger. A speaker using a modified electronic tone stated in the footage that they opposed the recruitment of Manor Solomon and would persist in protesting until he leaves the organization.
This development follows an incident where supporters sang a chant targeting Solomon during an August 16 fixture against Burnley. The athlete signed with the team only days prior, prompting management to ask supporters to halt the chanting.
The recent harassment directed at him received support from the Tower Hamlets Palestine Solidarity Network, an organization founded and managed by councillor Faysal Ahmed. The group posted a still from the recording with a caption demanding the removal of the player from West Ham United.
At least seven additional councillors from Tower Hamlets belong to the organization social media page. Solomon, aged 27, completed mandatory military enlistment in the IDF in December 2017. That enlistment occurred seven years prior to the Gaza conflict that began after Hamas killed at least 1,195 Israelis on October 7, 2023.
Alex Hearn representing Labour Against Antisemitism stated that Solomon has only acted as an Israeli athlete, and targeting a player's employment based on his origin constitutes bigotry rather than activism while condemning involvement by elected officials.
