La Liga side Villarreal’s announcement Monday that Israeli national team winger Manor Solomon would join the Spanish club was meant to be a boost on the field, but instead, it triggered an online storm from fans and pro-Palestinian activists accusing him of supporting “genocide” and “illegal occupation.”

Messages circulated on social media under hashtags tied to the club, calling Solomon “not welcome” and urging a boycott. The prominent fan account Villarreal Report posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he “proudly and outwardly supports Israel’s genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine and its people” and “does not deserve the affection of its supporters,” attaching a Palestinian flag. Other users said by voicing support for Israel during the Gaza war, Solomon had become complicit in state propaganda.

Some Villarreal fans also directed anger at club management for signing him on loan. Similar opposition surfaced in England in recent weeks, when Solomon was linked to Sheffield United and Crystal Palace. Both fan bases saw voices rejecting him over his past remarks backing Israel during the war

In December 2023, Solomon told Ynet he struggled being abroad during the war. “These are not simple days,” he said. “I think I’m experiencing it like everyone else, just that I am outside of Israel. Sometimes, it even feels a bit harder, especially in the beginning. These days are truly terrible. Every day, you just look at the news and your phone, and the television is on all the time to see what’s happening. We all hope that all the hostages will return and that there won’t be any more losses for us.”

Villarreal has not issued an official comment, though some supporters countered the backlash, saying players should be judged by their performance, not their politics, and warning that the criticism veered into antisemitism.

Meet Manor Solomon.

Manor Solomon proudly and outwardly supports Israel’s genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine and its people.

Manor Solomon is not welcome at Villarreal and does not deserve the affection of its supporters.

Free Palestine 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/6PCnPi88fc

— Villarreal Report (@Villarreal_Rep) September 1, 2025

Fortuna’s chairman defended the decision, saying Weissman’s statements “were not consistent with our values,” while denying allegations of antisemitism.