Spain’s Jewish community condemns ‘murderers’ taunt against Israeli soccer star
The organization representing Spain’s Jewish community issued a sharply worded condemnation Thursday after fans hurled insults at Israeli soccer player Manor Solomon during a game.
The 26-year-old Israeli star endured the taunts as he scored the game-winning goal at the 86th minute on Tuesday to clinch his team’s 2-1 victory on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain called the insults “intolerable.”
Solomon, a member of Israel’s national soccer team, is currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur to Spanish club Villarreal.
He has been vocal on social media in support of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, but since arriving in Villareal, he has worked to assure fans that he isn’t interested in talking about politics.
At Tuesday’s match against Sevilla FC, Villarreal put Solomon into the game near the end, in the 83rd minute. As Solomon entered, fans whistled and yelled from the stands, “Israelis are murderers.”
El hostil recibimiento de la afición del Sevilla FC a Manor Solomon, futbolista israelí del Villarreal, recibido con banderas de Palestina y cánticos contra Israel.© The Times of Israel
