University of Bristol Professor wants to return to work after sacking over Israel views

Professor David Miller says he is “looking forward” to returning to work at the University of Bristol after winning a legal battle over his dismissal following comments about Israel and Zionism.

Miller successfully appealed against his dismissal in 2024, and on Tuesday the university lost its challenge against that ruling at an Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT).

The professor said he was “very pleased” the EAT had dismissed the university’s case, describing the judgment as a “remarkable and extremely welcome vindication” of his fight to defend his anti-Zionist beliefs.

The University of Bristol previously said it was “disappointed” by the EAT’s decision.

Why was Professor David Miller dismissed?

Miller attracted criticism in 2019 over his use of what was described as a “false, vile….. antisemitic slur”.

He was later criticised by the Bristol Jewish Society for comments he made about Zionism at a Campaign for Free Speech event in 2021.

Miller described some Jewish student groups as “political lobby groups” and later said Jewish students at British universities were “political pawns by a violent, racist foreign regime involved in ethnic cleansing”.

Comments he made about Zionism in an email to a student journalist subsequently led to a disciplinary process and his dismissal from the university.

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Miller brought claims of unfair dismissal, breach of contract and discrimination or victimisation on the grounds of religious belief.

What did the Employment Appeal Tribunal rule?

The University of Bristol argued that Miller’s anti-Zionist beliefs were political and therefore were not protected under the Equality Act 2010.

However, in his ruling on Tuesday, Lord Fairley said there was “no good reason” for the beliefs relied upon by Miller to be excluded from protection simply because they related to an issue of social importance which could also be categorised as “political”.

Miller said: “I’m very pleased the EAT has dismissed the case put forward by the University of Bristol.

“It’s a remarkable and extremely welcome vindication of my long fight to defend myself and all those who hold and express anti-Zionist beliefs.

“This judgment has now firmly established that anti-Zionist views are a protected belief under the terms of the Equality Act 2010.

“I now look forward to returning to work as professor of political sociology at the University of Bristol; to have my career reinstated and be free to work in higher education without fear of intimidation or reprisal,” he added.

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