UK tribunal rules professor's anti-Zionist views are a protected belief

The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that the University of Bristol illegally fired Professor David Miller, a political sociology academic, due to his anti-Zionist commentary, thereby affirming anti-Zionism as a protected belief under UK law. The tribunal described the dismissal and the university's refusal to reinstate him as direct discrimination and unlawful. Miller, who began teaching at Bristol in 2018, had challenged the termination on grounds of unfair dismissal, breach of contract, and discrimination based on belief.

The court found his remarks lawful, not anti-Semitic, and not encouraging violence. While the university voiced disappointment, it maintained that free speech must align with its conduct codes. Miller warned that external pressure from Zionist groups contributed to his sacking and urged the ruling to encourage academic freedom on contentious topics.