West Ham urges fans to halt 'anti-Palestine' chant about Manor Solomon
Source: TalkTV · All TalkTV reports
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Summary
The TalkTV segment interviewed Paul Harris, editor of the Jewish Telegraph, primarily on two topics. First, Harris addressed reports of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem spitting on Christians and desecrating sites, describing it as the behavior of a small, ignorant minority that does not represent mainstream Israeli society, which he called tolerant and multicultural; he compared them to those who stone ambulances on the Sabbath or avoid army service. Second, the discussion focused on West Ham United's statement urging fans to stop singing an 'offensive and divisive' chant about new Israeli signing Manor Solomon that includes the line 'he hates Palestine,' heard during their match at Burnley. Harris called the chant unacceptable and noted it could lead to FA sanctions, drawing parallels to past racist or homophobic chanting. The interview briefly touched on Tottenham fans' 'Yiddo' chant and Premier League players resuming taking the knee for anti-racism.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast provided a platform for a mainstream Jewish voice to condemn both anti-Palestinian chanting in football and intolerant behavior by fringe ultra-Orthodox groups, with accurate reporting on West Ham's statement and the chant's origins. Viewers receive solid context on the club's efforts to promote inclusivity and Harris's view that such acts embarrass the Jewish community. However, the segment is missing broader context on the Israel-Gaza war, including casualty figures, Solomon's public support for Israel and IDF service that provoked some backlash, and why the chant resonates with certain fans amid heightened tensions. The rapid pivot to taking the knee and 'all lives matter' introduces a separate culture-war angle without exploring its relevance. Overall, it offers a one-sided but factually grounded take that may skew perceptions toward viewing pro-Palestinian sentiment in football as inherently discriminatory while downplaying criticisms of Israeli policies.
Key Moments
Spitting on Christians by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem is done by a small minority of extremely ignorant people and does not represent mainstream Jews or Israelis.
Multiple reports, including from The Times of Israel, WSJ, and Rossing Center data, confirm it is a minority phenomenon mainly among some ultra-Orthodox and nationalist youth in the Old City, though incidents have risen to over 100-180 documented cases in 2025.
West Ham fans sang an anti-Palestine chant about Manor Solomon including 'he hates Palestine' at Burnley, prompting the club to issue a statement calling it offensive and divisive.
Widely reported by BBC, The Athletic, Telegraph, and others; West Ham's official statement matches the description exactly and references prior similar chants at Leeds.
If West Ham cannot control fans chanting such things, the club could face sanctions or a fine from the FA, similar to past cases of homophobic or racist chanting.
Clubs have been warned by the FA and Premier League about politically motivated chanting and flags since 2023; while sanctions for discriminatory behavior are possible, no specific fine for this chant has been reported yet.
Premier League players will be taking the knee again for anti-racism, which the guest opposes as it promotes BLM rather than 'all lives matter'.
Reports from GB News, Daily Mail, and BBC confirm captains agreed to continue the gesture twice per season in October 2026 as part of No Room for Racism.
The same ultra-Orthodox group stones ambulances on the Sabbath, avoids army conscription, and sometimes behaves like radicalized Muslims.
Some Haredi groups have historically protested or clashed over Sabbath observance and have exemptions from military service, but equating their behavior to radicalized Muslims is the guest's opinion without sourced evidence in the segment.
Notable Concerns
- Limited discussion of the full Israel-Gaza conflict context or Palestinian perspectives on the chant
- Potential for viewers to equate anti-Israel chanting directly with racism without nuance on political speech in sports
- Transition to Premier League knee-taking felt tacked on and reflected the host's apparent skepticism without balanced debate
Sources Consulted
- West Ham: Fans told to stop 'anti-Palestine' chant about Manor Solomon
- The controversial Manor Solomon chant and why West Ham have asked fans not to sing it
- Spitting Attacks Show Rise of Anti-Christian Hate in Israel
- Jerusalem Christians not surprised by attack on nun as abuse becomes routine
- Premier League captains agree to continue taking the knee TWICE per season
- West Ham tell fans to stop anti-Palestine chants
- Pro-Palestine football fans lament West Ham for signing Manor Solomon