UK Court Ruling Says Anti-Zionist Views Alone Cannot Justify Dismissal From Employment
August 6, 2026
In a landmark ruling this week, the UK’s Employment Appeal Tribunal upheld a decision that could reshape how universities, employers, and institutions across Britain handle criticism of Israel.
Professor David Miller was dismissed by the University of Bristol in October 2021 after a sustained campaign over his public statements criticizing Zionism, Israel, and pro-Israel lobbying groups. He took Bristol to an Employment Tribunal — and won. The university appealed. This week, the EAT rejected that appeal.
The ruling: Miller’s belief — that political Zionism is inherently racist, imperialist, and colonial, and therefore must be opposed — qualifies as a “protected philosophical belief” under Section 10 of the Equality Act 2010. Bristol had argued his views were merely political opinion, not a protected belief. The tribunal firmly rejected that argument.
What this means going forward: discriminating against, harassing, or firing someone for holding anti-Zionist beliefs is now unlawful under UK equality law — a binding precedent for future cases.
Miller says he’s looking forward to returning to his post, adding it matters that his career be reinstated so he can work “without fear of intimidation or reprisal.”
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