Organizations dedicated to safeguarding Palestinian rights have denounced recent attacks on Professor David Miller by certain groups, cautioning against playing into the hands of the Israel lobby.
In a statement issued by the Convivencia Alliance, which includes organizations like the Jewish Network for Palestine, Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), and Peacemaker Trust, they expressed their concern regarding the "inaccurate and extremely unwise" reactions by some progressive solidarity organizations. They emphasized that such reactions occurred at a time when a significant portion of the Israeli population is questioning the policies and actions of the Israeli Apartheid regime, and when prominent Israeli figures, including politicians, ex-generals, and former intelligence agency heads, are denouncing Israeli Apartheid. The statement also noted the international condemnation of the process of normalization with Israel.
This development follows criticism of a tweet made by Professor David Miller on August 7, 2023, by Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL), although JVL did not label the tweet as anti-Semitic. Meanwhile, the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) argued that Miller's remarks failed to acknowledge the persistence of anti-Semitism in Europe and the Americas, as well as its resurgence in recent decades with the rise of populist movements and fascist organizations. BRICUP also asserted that Miller's supposed "facts" could be interpreted in an anti-Semitic manner.
The Convivencia Alliance disagreed with these perspectives, expressing regret that JVL and BRICUP appeared to be overlooking the situation in Palestine and instead allowing the Israel Lobby to dictate their agenda. They also criticized the adoption of the discredited International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) "Working Definition of Anti-Semitism," which they believe has been weaponized to silence critics of Israeli policies in Palestine.
Instead, the Convivencia Alliance advocated for progressive solidarity organizations to concentrate their efforts on demanding an end to Western financial, military, and diplomatic support for Israel while offering support to the Palestinian cause.
Professor David Miller, who was dismissed from Bristol University following a campaign by the Israel lobby over his criticisms of the Zionist state, is currently facing an Employment Tribunal regarding his complaint of unfair dismissal. Two legal inquiries have previously concluded that he could not be accused of anti-Semitism.
