Jewish group in Spain condemns ‘Israel murders’ chants at Israeli player

A group representing Jewish communities in Spain on Thursday hit out at chants by Sevilla fans of “Israel murders” aimed at Villarreal forward Manor Solomon.

The 26-year-old Israel international came on as a substitute and scored the winner in a 2-1 victory at Sevilla on Tuesday in La Liga.

Some Sevilla fans waved Palestinian flags and fan group Biris Norte said on social media that there was “no space for Zionists” at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium.

Solomon has shared posts on social media in support of the Israeli military during their offensive on Gaza.

“(We condemn) the intolerable insults that footballer Manor Solomon received from some Sevilla fans due to his Israeli origin,” said the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) in a statement.

“We condemn any manifestation of antisemitism, racism or xenophobia, and reaffirm our commitment to the values of coexistence and equality.”

Over nearly two years, Israel has killed at least 65,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, figures the UN considers reliable.

Israel launched its Gaza offensive in October 2023 in retaliation for an unprecedented cross-border attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Last week, United Nations investigators accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza in a bid to “destroy the Palestinians”.

Some Villarreal supporters criticised their own club this summer for signing Solomon and midfielder Thomas Partey, who will stand trial in the United Kingdom on rape and sexual assault charges, which he denies.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez last week called for Israel to be banned from international sport because of what the Spanish government has labelled a “genocide” in Gaza.

Protests against the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team led to the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana grand tour being abandoned earlier in September.