British Journalist Slams West Ham's Manor Solomon Over Political Stance
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
A British journalist, Michal Grant, has harshly criticized West Ham's Israeli winger Manor Solomon due to his political statements and military service. Grant, a lifelong fan writing for The Canary, feels Solomon's public support for Israel, including social media posts and associations with controversial figures like Eyal Berkovic, conflicts with the club's values. The journalist's disillusionment also stems from modern football's commercialization and West Ham's perceived loss of identity. Grant concludes that these factors, including fan chants referencing Solomon's stance, mean the club no longer represents him.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Journalist Michal Grant criticized West Ham's Manor Solomon for his political views and IDF service.
- Grant, a lifelong fan, cited Solomon's social media posts supporting Israel as a key issue.
- The article also noted Solomon's association with Eyal Berkovic and his controversial statements.
- Fan chants referencing Solomon's stance against Palestine were also mentioned.
- Grant feels modern football and West Ham's current management have eroded the club's identity.
- The critique was published by The Canary, a UK outlet aligned with the progressive left.
A British journalist has sharply criticized Israeli winger Manor Solomon of West Ham United, citing his political views and past military service as reasons for alienation from the club. The critique comes from Michal Grant, writing for The Canary, a UK outlet associated with the progressive left. Grant, a fifth-generation West Ham fan, describes a personal disillusionment with modern football and the club's management, which he feels has eroded its identity and connection with supporters.
While Grant lists several factors contributing to his estrangement, including the commercialization of football and the club's move to a new stadium, the "last straw" was related to Solomon. The criticism focuses not on Solomon's on-field performance but on his political background. Grant points to Solomon's military service in the IDF in 2017 and social media posts expressing support for Israel, including statements asserting Israel's right to self-defense and refuting claims about Gaza.
The article also mentions Solomon's association with former footballer and media personality Eyal Berkovic, whom Solomon considers a friend. Grant highlights Berkovic's controversial statements on Israeli television regarding the Gaza war, such as calling to "erase Gaza" and claiming there were no innocent civilians there.
Grant notes that even some West Ham fans have reacted to Solomon, referencing a chant heard after his debut goal against Burnley that included the line, "Manor Solomon in my thoughts, and he hates Palestine." This chant is described as a familiar expression of support for Solomon from his UK fanbase.
Weighing the club's financial dealings, the perceived moral ambiguity of its owners, the loss of connection with the community at the new stadium, and Solomon's public political stances, Grant concludes that the club no longer represents him. He questions what remains of the club founded in 1895 by Thames Ironworks workers, suggesting modern West Ham has significantly diverged from its historical values, identity, and fan community.
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