British academic and Press TV co-host David Miller wins legal battle as UK court protects anti-Zionist beliefs

A British appeals tribunal has upheld a landmark ruling in favor of British academic David Miller, confirming that anti-Zionist beliefs are protected under UK equality law and dismissing almost all of the University of Bristol's appeal against findings of unlawful discrimination and unfair dismissal.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) overwhelmingly rejected the University of Bristol's challenge to an earlier Employment Tribunal judgment that found Miller, a producer and co-host of Press TV's weekly show 'Palestine Declassified', had been unlawfully discriminated against and unfairly dismissed because of his anti-Zionist philosophical beliefs.

The Tuesday ruling establishes a binding legal precedent that anti-Zionist beliefs are protected under the Equality Act 2010, making it unlawful to discriminate against individuals because they hold the belief that Zionism is inherently racist, imperialist and colonial, and ought to be opposed.

Miller, a professor of political sociology specializing in propaganda, lobbying and state power, was dismissed by the University of Bristol in October 2021 following a sustained campaign over his criticism of Zionism, Israel and pro-Israel lobbying organizations.

The appeal court upheld the tribunal's findings that Miller's expression of his anti-Zionist beliefs had a "material impact" on the university's decision to dismiss him, while reaffirming that protection of free speech is particularly important in cases involving political speech.

Rejecting the university's argument that Miller's views amounted only to political opinions, the EAT ruled that his critique of Zionism constitutes a protected philosophical belief under Section 10 of the Equality Act.

In a key passage, the tribunal said it was coherent to describe as "racist" an ideology promoting the establishment of a state for only "one race of people" in territory inhabited by another population, while also affirming the legitimacy of describing the migration of that group into the territory with the support of an imperial power as "colonial and imperialistic."

The court also reiterated the earlier finding that Miller "did not oppose or have antipathy towards Jews or Judaism," noting that the university itself had not alleged during the original proceedings that his statements were antisemitic.

In a statement following the ruling, Miller said, "For years, the University of Bristol capitulated to an intimidation campaign by genocidal Zionist groups to criminalise my sociological research.”

"The court has made it clear: universities 'ought to be prepared to face and to weather criticism and reputational damage which flows from the exercise by its academics of their rights to speak and think freely and lawfully' [Para 47],” said the professor, adding, "The court has also declared that it is clear, coherent and legitimate to describe Zionism as racist, colonial and imperialist. Zionist claims to the contrary have been comprehensively rebuffed.”

'Legal precedent'

"The binding legal precedent we have established in my case,” he maintained, “means no vice-chancellor can ever again lawfully sack an academic or suspend a student simply for identifying the structural racism, colonialism and imperialism inherent in the Zionist project. Nor can any other employer. This victory belongs to the global movement for the liberation of Palestine and the final dismantling of Zionism.”

He noted that he is looking forward to returning to his work at the University of Bristol in his post as professor of political sociology. “It is important that my career is reinstated and that I am therefore free to work in higher education without fear of intimidation or reprisal.”

The judgment is expected to have significant implications for universities and employers across the United Kingdom by reinforcing legal protections for philosophical beliefs and academic freedom.

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

www.presstv.ir