UK Court Rules Anti‑Zionist Beliefs Protected Under Equality Act in Dr David Miller Case

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) dismissed the University of Bristol’s appeal and upheld an Employment Tribunal ruling that anti‑Zionist beliefs qualify as a protected philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010. The judgment found that the university had directly discriminated against Dr David Miller, a professor of political sociology, for his anti‑Zionist views and that his dismissal in October 2021 was unlawful.

The decision, handed down by EAT President Lord Fairley, gives binding authority to the earlier tribunal finding and confirms that it is unlawful to discriminate against employees because they hold anti‑Zionist beliefs. Dr Miller announced the outcome on social media, stating: “Anti‑Zionism is now a protected philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010. Full stop.” The ruling ends a five‑year legal battle that began with complaints about Miller’s lectures in 2019 and is expected to shape future employment cases involving controversial political beliefs in the UK.