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A UK employment tribunal has determined that Professor David Miller’s dismissal from the University of Bristol was unlawful and constituted discriminatory treatment. The Employment Appeal Tribunal’s ruling, published this week, establishes that opposition to Zionism qualifies as a legally protected philosophical belief under British law.
Miller, a political sociology professor who worked at Bristol since 2018, was terminated in October 2021 following comments critical of Zionism. The tribunal found his removal violated employment law and represented unfair dismissal. The university’s subsequent appeal of an earlier tribunal decision did not overturn the finding. The ruling implicitly recognizes a distinction under British law between anti-Zionism and antisemitism.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Miller characterized the tribunal’s decision as significant, suggesting it would embolden academics to express critical views on the topic. He attributed his original firing to external pressure from organizations opposing his statements. Miller expressed hope that the ruling would counter self-censorship among scholars on the subject.
The University of Bristol indicated disappointment with the tribunal’s findings while reaffirming its commitment to free expression exercised within institutional guidelines. The decision carries implications for employment practices across British institutions and organizations regarding permissible discourse on political and ideological matters.
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Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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