UK Appeal Tribunal Upholds Ruling That David Miller Was Unlawfully Dismissed Over Anti-Zionist Beliefs

Professor David Miller, a political sociology professor, had worked at the University of Bristol since 2018. He was dismissed in October 2021, and the university cited views he had expressed critical of Zionism. Aljazeera reported that the university’s stated reason included comments in which Miller described Jewish student groups as “political lobby groups.” The 5Pillars report did not repeat that detail.

A seven-day Employment Tribunal hearing took place in 2023. The earlier tribunal found that Miller’s dismissal, due to his anti-Zionism, constituted unlawful discrimination and unfair dismissal. According to Aljazeera, the tribunal also found the university’s actions amounted to direct discrimination and that the termination was unfair and wrongful.

Aljazeera reported that Miller’s appeal was initially dismissed in February 2024, and that the university’s subsequent appeal was later overturned, confirming that the dismissal was unlawful. The 5Pillars report described the matter differently, stating that the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) had overturned the university’s appeal against the earlier Employment Tribunal decision. Both reports agree that the EAT’s ruling went against the university.

On August 5, 2026, the EAT issued its decision. According to 5Pillars, the EAT considered the university’s appeal on nine grounds and rejected almost all of them. It upheld the tribunal’s finding that Miller’s anti-Zionist beliefs were a protected philosophical conviction, and it found that the manifestation of those beliefs played a significant role in the university’s decision to end his employment. Fair treatment of a colleague, even amid sharp disagreement, is a matter of honest dealing (Exodus 23:1).

The 5Pillars report also stated that the EAT described Zionism as “racist,” “colonial,” and “imperialistic.” Aljazeera’s report did not include those descriptions, and the two outlets presented the ruling’s central holding in different terms. Aljazeera framed the decision as confirming that anti-Zionism is a legally protected belief, while 5Pillars called the ruling a landmark for Miller.

The University of Bristol said it was disappointed with the ruling. It stated that it remains committed to protecting free speech exercised appropriately and in line with its codes of conduct.