The Employment Appeals Tribunal ruled that Professor David Miller’s dismissal from the University of Bristol for his anti-Zionist views constituted unlawful discrimination.

The UK Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has upheld a 2024 ruling that the University of Bristol engaged in unlawful discrimination when it dismissed Professor David Miller in 2021. The tribunal affirmed that Miller’s anti-Zionist beliefs qualify as protected philosophical beliefs under the Equality Act 2010. In its judgment, the EAT stated that it is coherent to describe Zionism as a racist, colonial, and imperialistic ideology.

Background of the Case

Professor David Miller, a political sociology professor who joined the University of Bristol in 2018, was fired for gross misconduct in October 2021. His dismissal followed public comments he made earlier that year regarding Zionism, Israel, and Jewish student organizations. The university challenged an earlier tribunal's decision that the firing was discriminatory, but the EAT rejected the appeal, finding no errors in the lower court's liability conclusions.

Tribunal Findings on Beliefs and Conduct

The tribunal determined that Miller's beliefs—that political Zionism is inherently racist, imperialistic, and colonial—merit legal protection. While the court acknowledged the university's aim to protect its reputation and students, it ruled that dismissal was a disproportionate response, noting that Miller's comments were lawful and did not incite violence or threaten safety. However, the tribunal also upheld the original finding that Miller contributed to his own dismissal through comments directed at Jewish students, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in compensation.