An anti-Zionist professor fired by the University of Bristol over comments he made about Israel and Jewish student groups has said he plans to sue the institution.
David Miller referred to the university’s Jewish society as “political pawns [used] by a violent, racist foreign regime”, and claimed that Jewish students’ security concerns were “propaganda which they have been schooled with”. He has also accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of taking “Zionist money” and said Israel “is trying to exert its will all over the world”.
Miller was sacked in October 2021 following an investigation that found his actions, while not unlawful, “did not meet the standards of behaviour expected” from university staff.
On Oct 16 I am taking Bristol University to court to get my job back.
— David Miller (@Tracking_Power) July 10, 2023
I am trying to establish that anti-Zionist views are protected under the Equality Act.
Legal support is expensive.
Please help me defend academic freedom.https://t.co/ON1fYnic1Tpic.twitter.com/0wkgfZNbrf
The academic, however, claims his firing was a result of a “years-long campaign of intimidation” against him by “the Israel lobby in Britain”.
Miller claimed this so-called campaign began in April 2019 after he gave a lecture on Islamophobia which included a section on “Zionist Islamophobia”.
He said he will challenge his dismissal at an employment tribunal, due to begin on October 16, and in a video posted to Twitter, he asked for donations to help cover his legal costs.
Miller has received the backing of former MP Chris Williamson, who himself denied allegations of antisemitism. Williamson asked his Twitter followers to support Miller’s “attempt to ensure that opposition to Zionism (a racist settler-colonial political ideology) is protected”.
The University of Bristol has been approached for comment.
