Bristol University to finally probe ‘end of Zionism’ prof
BRISTOL UNIVERSITY has confirmed that an investigation into comments made by Professor David Miller relating to Jewish students is underway.
In a statement on Wednesday, the university highlighted that the institution’s “consistently held position is that bullying, harassment and discrimination are never acceptable”.
An update published on the its website acknowledged that comments by the sociology professor had caused “deep concern for some members of our community” and that a written question regarding Prof Miller’s behaviour had been raised in Parliament.
The Union of Jewish Students and Bristol Jewish Society issued a statement saying confirmation of the investigation came “far too late” and after their students had “endured weeks of harassment and abuse”.
The two organisations also said the university had “failed to set out what steps it is taking to protect Jewish students on its campus during the investigation”.
They added they did not understand why Prof
Miller had not been suspended while the probe took place.
Inflammatory remarks by the professor have included what has been described as a personal attack on the president of the Bristol Jewish Society, and claims that “all JSocs” operate “under the auspices of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), an Israel lobby group”. Prof Miller added that he believed that these Jewish students were acting as “pawns of a racist regime engaged in ethnic cleansing”.
The university’s statement said an investigation into this matter was being carried out “in accordance with the university’s internal process and, as we have explained in a previous statement, that process is confidential”.
The university also stated its commitment to its freedom of speech policy But it added: “The university’s clear and consistently held position is that bullying, harassment, and discrimination are never acceptable. We remain committed to providing a positive experience for all our students and staff, including by providing a welcoming environment for Jewish students, and to fostering good relations and an inclusive university community.” More than 100 MPs and Lords have signed a letter calling on the University of Bristol to take action over Prof Miller’s remarks.