West Ham bans anti‑Palestine chant as Solomon debut sparks controversy
West Ham United have publicly urged their supporters to stop singing a chant about new signing Manor Solomon that references his alleged hatred of Palestine, while a section of fans continued to belt the anti‑Palestine lyrics during the club’s opening match of the season.
Chant controversy and club response
The Hammers completed the £5 million signing of Israeli international Manor Solomon from Tottenham Hotspur this summer. Solomon marked his debut by scoring against Burnley on Sunday, confirming the club’s investment with an immediate contribution on the pitch.
During that match, a group of West Ham supporters were heard chanting ‘Manor Solomon is on my mind and he hates Palestine’ to the melody of the 1963 hit ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’, originally popularised by the British band Manfred Mann. The chant directly references the ongoing Israel‑Gaza conflict, linking the player’s nationality to the political dispute.
The same chant had previously been sung by some Leeds United fans while Solomon was on loan at the club in the 2024‑25 season. Its recurrence highlights how the lyric has travelled across supporter groups.
Authorities determined that the chant does not meet the Metropolitan Police’s threshold for tragedy chanting, and the Football Association is unlikely to intervene. Consequently, no formal sanctions have been announced despite the controversy.
West Ham issued a statement ahead of their home fixture against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, condemning the offensive chant and reaffirming the club’s commitment to a safe, respectful environment. The club urged supporters to celebrate the team without creating division or offence among fellow fans.
The statement emphasized equality, equity, diversity and inclusion as core club values, asserting that football can unite people. It called on players, staff and supporters to embody these principles and to be proud of inclusive support.
Manor Solomon has earned 49 caps for Israel since his debut in 2018 and completed national service in the Israeli Defence Forces. He has previously posted on social media content that appears to condone the ongoing conflict, adding another layer to the debate surrounding his presence at the club.
The club’s proactive appeal contrasts sharply with the minority of fans who continue the divisive chant, underscoring the tension between supporter expression and the club’s inclusive ethos as the season progresses. How West Ham manages this dichotomy will shape its reputation both on and off the field.