Introduction
Manor Solomon, the Israeli footballer playing for Villarreal, has found himself at the center of a political storm following his statements regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. This controversy intensified during a live broadcast on the popular radio program Carrusel Deportivo by Spanish journalist Dani Garrido, just after Solomon made an impressive debut, assisting in a goal shortly after entering the match.
Dani Garrido’s Criticism
During the broadcast, Garrido focused on Solomon’s social media posts that expressed support for Israeli actions in Gaza. He misinterpreted Solomon’s comments, claiming, “Solomon chose to say that his government is right for killing 63,000 people.” This remark highlights a significant distortion of the context surrounding Solomon’s statements.
Context of the Statements
Garrido’s critique referenced an earlier Instagram post by Solomon, alongside a photo from Gaza, stating, “They bomb themselves and then blame us.” This was in response to Hamas’s claims that Israel bombed a hospital, despite evidence indicating it was a rocket launched from Gaza. Garrido argued that Solomon dismissed attacks on civilian hospitals attributed to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and insisted that the casualties were mainly from Islamic Jihad.
Analyzing Solomon’s Position
Garrido presented a sharp analysis of Solomon’s stance, suggesting he had four options regarding the actions of his government:
- To think that his government is acting immorally and speak out against it.
- To agree but remain silent.
- To believe the government is correct but choose silence.
- To think the government is justified in killing 63,000 people and express that publicly.
According to Garrido, Solomon chose the fourth option, which fueled the controversy surrounding him.
The Aftermath of the Controversy
Following the uproar, during his official presentation at Villarreal, Solomon was approached by Spanish journalists regarding his views on the conflict in Gaza. Opting for a cautious approach, he stated, “I came here to play football, not to talk about politics.” This attempt to distance himself from the intense political debate only further ignited public scrutiny.
Contradictions in Solomon’s Statements
Garrido also highlighted what he perceived as a contradiction between Solomon’s comments during the press conference and his previous social media activity. He remarked, “Since coming to a country where millions denounce what they label as genocide, he suddenly claims he just wants to play football. On social media, he presents a narrative that all is well, that we mislead the public, and that Jihadists are bombing hospitals. Yet when asked to discuss this with journalists, he remains silent.”
Background of the Controversy
Solomon’s remarks are set against a backdrop of increasing activism among athletes in Spain in support of Palestine. This sentiment has been evident, for example, during the Vuelta a España cycling race, where spectators expressed support for Palestinian rights. Furthermore, a friendly match between the Basque Country team and the Palestinian team is set for November 15 at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, commemorating the victims of the ongoing conflict.
Conclusion
The remarks made by Dani Garrido underscore the prevailing hostility towards Israel, despite Solomon’s attempts to maintain a non-political stance since joining Villarreal. This situation illustrates that even when Solomon endeavors to steer clear of public discussions on politics, it inevitably provokes strong reactions within the local media.
