*The belief that Israel’s actions amount to apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide are “worthy of respect in a democratic society”, an employment tribunal has concluded in a landmark decision.*
*In February the tribunal ruled that Prof David Miller was unfairly discriminated against when he was dismissed by the University of Bristol over allegations of making antisemitic remarks, in a decision the Union of Jewish Students said set a dangerous precedent.*
NuPNua on
Yeah, this is going to have some ugly knock on effects I reckon. Look at how people have abused” gender critical” views being legitimised in this way.
Dry_Sandwich_860 on
These issues need to be discussed. Even on this thread, where there is only one comment so far and it only repeats what’s in the article, there’s a “participation notice.” Most news sites don’t even allow comments on anything related.
The point is, if a university professor can’t discuss Israel’s actions without being accused of bigotry, then who can?
The Brexit referendum result and the recent political rise of the far right in Europe are about people expressing frustration (and often ignorance) after years of being silenced and refused the opportunity to participate in discussion. Tough problems can’t be swept under the rug because when they are, people arrive at harmful/untrue views without having an opportunity to learn any better and they make themselves heard eventually, often with negative consequences.
[deleted] on
[deleted]
test_test_1_2_3 on
Seems reasonable, provided that similar judgements will also protect people holding the counter views. Although such a case is unlikely to happen in academia since it is almost exclusively staffed by people far to the left now.
That said, I’d be wanting my money back from SFE if I was getting lectured by this dullard.
robcap on
I think this is completely reasonable.
People walk on eggshells around this issue, but “I do not like Israeli state policy” is ***not*** the same thing as saying “I don’t think Jewish people deserve basic human respect”.
There are non-Zionist Jews in the UK, or so I’m told. And even in Israel we should be able to separate the actions of their govt from the concept of ‘the Jewish people’.
inspired_corn on
The irony of all this nonsense is that saying “criticism of Israel is antisemitic” *IS* antisemitic…
You’re saying that the actions of Israel somehow represent all Jewish people, which is incredibly offensive.
Zionism is not Judaism, it’s not a protected characteristic. There’s many Jewish people who aren’t Zionists, and many Zionists who aren’t Jewish.
Possible-Pin-8280 on
I find it weird when people have a strong belief that an entire country should no longer exist but ok.
jakethepeg1989 on
Whilst the headline of this case is fine. Being Anti-zionist shouldn’t get you fired…this guy is definitely a danger to Jews in the UK. He publicly posts the name and address of Jewish Primary schools posting about them being “zionist indoctrination centres” that need to be reckoned with and shut down.
He’s ranted about interfaith events between Jews and Muslims, where they cooked Chicken soup for homeless people is a Zionist plot.
Moaned about Jewish landlords.
Spoken about how Jews never face discrimination and that it is a plot and that Jews are actually the one in control and are the ones discriminating against everyone else in Europe and North and South America.
It is possible to be anti-zionist and not anti-semitic. This guy though is absolutely an unhinged antisemite.
Opposition to a political organisation (eg the state of Israel) is obviously a protected political belief. Otherwise beliefs like Scottish or Irish nationalism (which are in opposition to the UK) would be unprotected, which is obviously an unacceptable result.
One can oppose the existence of Israel without any opposition to Judaism, Jews or Jewishness. Bringing the State of Israel to an end and replacing it with a multi-ethnic state whether all communities have equal rights (the one state solution) is a sensible, if distant, way to end the conflict. It is essentially how the Troubles in Northern Ireland ended.
Prestigious_Clock865 on
Yep; the argument that criticising Israel equates to criticising all Jewish people is itself anti-Semitic
Equating all Jewish people to the actions of the Israeli state is the byproduct of genuine anti-semitism and the ethno-nationalism of Israel
It’s a deep and painful irony that is somehow completely misunderstood, often deliberately by the British press and political class
richmeister6666 on
This is a dark day for British Jews, calling a group of Jewish *students* “part of the Israeli lobby” is particularly disgusting. Very sad this guy who makes regular appearances on press tv is legitimised in this way.
12 Comments
*The belief that Israel’s actions amount to apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide are “worthy of respect in a democratic society”, an employment tribunal has concluded in a landmark decision.*
*In February the tribunal ruled that Prof David Miller was unfairly discriminated against when he was dismissed by the University of Bristol over allegations of making antisemitic remarks, in a decision the Union of Jewish Students said set a dangerous precedent.*
Yeah, this is going to have some ugly knock on effects I reckon. Look at how people have abused” gender critical” views being legitimised in this way.
These issues need to be discussed. Even on this thread, where there is only one comment so far and it only repeats what’s in the article, there’s a “participation notice.” Most news sites don’t even allow comments on anything related.
The point is, if a university professor can’t discuss Israel’s actions without being accused of bigotry, then who can?
The Brexit referendum result and the recent political rise of the far right in Europe are about people expressing frustration (and often ignorance) after years of being silenced and refused the opportunity to participate in discussion. Tough problems can’t be swept under the rug because when they are, people arrive at harmful/untrue views without having an opportunity to learn any better and they make themselves heard eventually, often with negative consequences.
[deleted]
Seems reasonable, provided that similar judgements will also protect people holding the counter views. Although such a case is unlikely to happen in academia since it is almost exclusively staffed by people far to the left now.
That said, I’d be wanting my money back from SFE if I was getting lectured by this dullard.
I think this is completely reasonable.
People walk on eggshells around this issue, but “I do not like Israeli state policy” is ***not*** the same thing as saying “I don’t think Jewish people deserve basic human respect”.
There are non-Zionist Jews in the UK, or so I’m told. And even in Israel we should be able to separate the actions of their govt from the concept of ‘the Jewish people’.
The irony of all this nonsense is that saying “criticism of Israel is antisemitic” *IS* antisemitic…
You’re saying that the actions of Israel somehow represent all Jewish people, which is incredibly offensive.
Zionism is not Judaism, it’s not a protected characteristic. There’s many Jewish people who aren’t Zionists, and many Zionists who aren’t Jewish.
I find it weird when people have a strong belief that an entire country should no longer exist but ok.
Whilst the headline of this case is fine. Being Anti-zionist shouldn’t get you fired…this guy is definitely a danger to Jews in the UK. He publicly posts the name and address of Jewish Primary schools posting about them being “zionist indoctrination centres” that need to be reckoned with and shut down.
He’s ranted about interfaith events between Jews and Muslims, where they cooked Chicken soup for homeless people is a Zionist plot.
Moaned about Jewish landlords.
Spoken about how Jews never face discrimination and that it is a plot and that Jews are actually the one in control and are the ones discriminating against everyone else in Europe and North and South America.
It is possible to be anti-zionist and not anti-semitic. This guy though is absolutely an unhinged antisemite.
[You be the judge: David Miller in his own words – The Jewish Chronicle (thejc.com)](https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/you-be-the-judge-david-miller-in-his-own-words-ys9sdxf4)
[David Miller targets Jewish primary school online – The Jewish Chronicle (thejc.com)](https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/david-miller-targets-jewish-primary-school-online-qlhz684c)
Opposition to a political organisation (eg the state of Israel) is obviously a protected political belief. Otherwise beliefs like Scottish or Irish nationalism (which are in opposition to the UK) would be unprotected, which is obviously an unacceptable result.
One can oppose the existence of Israel without any opposition to Judaism, Jews or Jewishness. Bringing the State of Israel to an end and replacing it with a multi-ethnic state whether all communities have equal rights (the one state solution) is a sensible, if distant, way to end the conflict. It is essentially how the Troubles in Northern Ireland ended.
Yep; the argument that criticising Israel equates to criticising all Jewish people is itself anti-Semitic
Equating all Jewish people to the actions of the Israeli state is the byproduct of genuine anti-semitism and the ethno-nationalism of Israel
It’s a deep and painful irony that is somehow completely misunderstood, often deliberately by the British press and political class
This is a dark day for British Jews, calling a group of Jewish *students* “part of the Israeli lobby” is particularly disgusting. Very sad this guy who makes regular appearances on press tv is legitimised in this way.