Bristol lecturer David Miller’s antisemitism is subtle, and the whole affair provides an excellent example of why it’s so important to listen to Jews on the left when discussing antisemitism on the left. [THREAD]
The right-wing/mainstream Jewish bodies are focusing on his desire to “end Zionism”, which is not inherently antisemitic. Miller and his acolytes know that, and so they argue that the antisemitism accusations are just a pro-Israel smear campaign.
Nothing new here so far. And if that was all, Jews on the left would be coming to his defence - as we have done for a number of others. But Miller goes further than simply a critique of Zionism.
There is something slightly insidious in the way he talks about “the Zionist movement” which is probably imperceptible to many non-Jews on the left (though Palestinians tend to be much better at this than middle-aged white cranks).
When talking about Zionism it is important to be precise: in 2021 it refers to either the regime of control in Israel-Palestine or to the ideology underpinning it, or both. Miller isn’t referring to either of these things but rather something far more broad and all-encompassing.
A couple of examples illustrate this.
1) When talking about Jewish societies on uni campuses, he reduces their role to “political pawns” and “lobby groups” as if they exist only to defend Israel. This totally mischaracterises the purpose of Jsocs.
1) When talking about Jewish societies on uni campuses, he reduces their role to “political pawns” and “lobby groups” as if they exist only to defend Israel. This totally mischaracterises the purpose of Jsocs.
While it’s true that Jsocs are able to access funds set aside by the Israeli embassy (specifically for Israel-related events) many Jsocs avoid this and, regardless, it’s not something that is unique to the Israeli embassy. Target missed.
2) As per the image below, he tries to argue that the Jewish people involved in interfaith events with Muslim communities in London (specifically, an annual Mitzvah Day event from 2018) are sent by Israel in order to normalise Zionism. 
Mitzvah Day is about local social action and building bridges between communities. Israel plays no role in it. The fact that some of its organisers or donors have had involvement in separate, Israel-related causes is completely irrelevant here.
Put simply: suggesting that all Jewish activities on campus or within interfaith frameworks are about promoting or normalising Zionism is both infantilising and conspiratorial. Miller is not actually fighting Zionism; he’s fostering antisemitism.
A final addendum: putting aside his obsession with “the Zionist movement”, Miller has also promoted pro-Assad conspiracy theories denying the Syrian regime’s war crimes. Any serious person on the left should have dropped this guy years ago.
Postscript: this from @jewdas fills in a few more gaps
https://twitter.com/jewdas/status/1363479460478144514
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