Sacked Bristol professor case: UK judge says anti-Zionist views 'worthy of respect'

An employment tribunal in the UK has concluded that holding the belief that Israel's actions against Palestinians amount to apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide are "worthy of respect in a democratic society.”

In February, a UK judge ruled in a landmark decision that David Miller, the producer of Press TV's 'Palestine Declassified' show, who was fired from the University of Bristol in 2021 for anti-Zionist views, was unfairly dismissed and subjected to discrimination. 

This week, the tribunal published its 120-page judgement, which sets out why Miller's views were protected under anti-discrimination laws. 

“Although many would vehemently and cogently disagree with [Miller]’s analysis of politics and history, others have the same or similar beliefs,” Judge Rohan Pirani said in the judgement. 

“We find that he has established that [the criteria] have been met and that his belief amounted to a philosophical belief.”

Miller was dismissed in 2021 after accusing Israel of wanting to “impose [its] will all over the world.”

Following his dismissal, he launched employment tribunal proceedings claiming unfair dismissal, breach of contract and discrimination or victimization on grounds of religion or belief.

At his hearing, he made clear that anti-Zionism was not the same as anti-Semitism, and was not a “racist set of ideas.” He also described Gaza as an “open air prison.”

He said that Zionism was “ideologically bound to lead to the practices of apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide in pursuit of territorial control and expansion.”

Zillur Rahman, who represented Miller, called it a “landmark case” which “marks a pivotal moment in the history of our country for those who believe in upholding the rights of Palestinians.”

The judgement noted that Miller had expertise on the subject of Zionism. 

On the academic's anti-Zionism beliefs, Pirani said, “We conclude that they have played a significant role in his life for many years. We are satisfied that they are genuinely held.”

“He is and was a committed anti-Zionist and his views on this topic have played a significant role in his life for many years.”

The panel said his beliefs were “worthy of respect in a democratic society, [are] not incompatible with human dignity and [do] not conflict with the fundamental rights of others.”

“[Miller]’s opposition to Zionism is not opposition to the idea of Jewish self-determination ... but rather, as he defines it, to the exclusive realization of Jewish rights to self-determination within a land that is home to a very substantial non-Jewish population,” Pirani added.

The judgement was criticized in February by the London-based Union of Jewish Students (UJS), a body representing university Jewish societies and Jewish students.

“UJS believes this may set a dangerous precedent about what can be lawfully said on campus about Jewish students and the societies at the center of their social life. This will ultimately make Jewish students less safe,” it said. 

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk