UK: Anti-Zionist views are 'worthy of respect', judge says

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, a professor of political sociology, 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 victimisation on grounds of religion or belief.

At his hearing he made clear that anti-Zionism was not the same as antisemitism, and was not a "racist set of ideas".

He added that it was impossible for a Zionist state such as Israel to be non-racist, and described Gaza as an "open air prison". 

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

'This is a landmark case that marks a pivotal moment in the history of our country for those who believe in upholding the rights of Palestinians'

- Zillur Rahman, lawyer representing David Miller

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”.

Pirani added: "[Miller]’s opposition to Zionism is not opposition to the idea of Jewish self-determination or of a preponderantly Jewish state existing in the world, but rather, as he defines it, to the exclusive realisation of Jewish rights to self-determination within a land that is home to a very substantial non-Jewish population."

The judgement was criticised in February by the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), a national 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 centre of their social life. This will ultimately make Jewish students less safe," it said.