Leeds University attack on Professor James Dickins denounced as appalling and probably illegal

A University of Leeds investigation has recommended stripping a professor of his emeritus status, on the grounds that he encouraged individuals to protest.

James Dickins is Emeritus Professor of Arabic at the University of Leeds. Although retired, Dickins has continued to supervise PhD students at the university. Dickins is also a longtime member of the Leeds Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

In January 2024, the University of Leeds JSoc (Jewish Society) advertised an event organised with StandWithUs, where Noah Shufutinsky, a hip-hop musician, would speak. StandWithUs is an advocacy organisation which aims to increase support of Israel through distributing information and organising educational events. Shufutinsky was speaking as part of a StandWithUs UK “campus tour”.

On 2^nd February, Dickins sent a number of messages to the WhatsApp chat of the Palestine Solidarity Group, a Leeds University Union society. He forwarded an advertisement of the event with Shufutinsky and a suggestion that someone else had made that the event would be held at Hillel House, a building routinely used by JSoc for their events. He also sent the following: “I think a co-ordinated response is needed from Leeds PSC, Leeds University PSG, and staff at Leeds University”.

Screenshots of Dickins’ messages were posted on the website Jewish News and Emma Levy, President of Leeds JSoc, stated that “her main priority was ensuring the university cut ties with James Dickins”. A student – perhaps Levy herself – subsequently submitted a complaint to the university about Dickins’ messages. A university investigation into the complaint has recommended that the university consider removing Dickins’ status as emeritus professor.

Dickins did not intend to encourage a demonstration – he had in mind an open letter. However, what matters is that the investigation has recommended punishing Dickins on the grounds that (in its view) he advocated for a protest. There are no grounds, whatsoever, to believe that Dickins incited violence or did anything else which might justify a restriction on the right to protest. Thus, the university’s punishment of Dickins is, in effect, punishment for advocating for protest simpliciter. This is an appalling violation of freedom of speech. It is also almost certainly illegal. Universities have a duty to secure freedom of speech under the 1986 Education Act.

A week after Dickins’ messages, Hillel house was daubed with graffiti reading “free Palestine” and “IDF off campus”. “IDF off campus” appears to refer the Leeds University Chaplain, Zecharia Deutsch, who has served with the IDF. There is no suggestion that Dickins was involved in this vandalism. Rather, Dickins believes that the university was willing to “sacrifice” him to appease a small group of activists within the university’s JSoc, because his emeritus status makes him relatively easy to fire. Universities must protect Jewish students and staff from antisemitism. However, this does not involve punishing individuals for perfectly legal calls either to set up open letters or to demonstrate against pro-Israel events.