UK tribunal confirms professor’s anti-Zionism is legally protected belief

The Employment Appeal Tribunal determined that the University of Bristol's decision to terminate David Miller's employment in October 2021 violated discrimination law. Miller, who had served as a professor of political sociology at the institution since 2018, had challenged his dismissal through the tribunal process, alleging unfair termination, breach of contract, and discrimination based on religion or belief.

Miller's dismissal followed comments in which he characterized certain Jewish student organizations as "political lobby groups" and criticized what he described as the use of Jewish students in campus politics. A tribunal initially ruled in February 2024 that his termination was unfair and that his statements were lawful, neither constituting anti-Semitism nor inciting violence. The university subsequently appealed this decision.

The latest ruling upheld the earlier judgment, confirming the dismissal was both unlawful and discriminatory. The tribunal's decision establishes that under British law, opposition to Zionism—a nationalist ideology asserting Jewish self-determination rights in historic Palestine—does not equate to anti-Semitism or prejudice against Jewish people.

Miller indicated that external pressure from Zionist organizations and student groups had influenced the university's initial decision. He expressed concern that his case had prompted other academics to self-censor their views on related topics. The University of Bristol stated disappointment with the ruling while reaffirming its commitment to free speech exercised within institutional codes of conduct.