The Council for British Research in the Levant (CBRL) has noted a statement on BRISMES’s website about a former CBRL employee’s redundancy. We welcome the statement’s support for academic freedom, a principle we uphold unreservedly. However, the statement also makes wrong assertions.
Dr Toufic Haddad, who was employed in East Jerusalem, brought a claim against CBRL in the London Employment Tribunal disputing the basis of his redundancy. Dr Haddad’s post was made redundant; he was not dismissed. The Employment Tribunal is part of HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Before hearing a case, the Tribunal has to decide whether it has jurisdiction. A preliminary hearing date has been set in March next year. Such decisions are made solely by the independent Tribunal. The question of applicable jurisdiction hinges on the balance of connection between one jurisdiction or another during employment. The claimant could take his case to an Employment Tribunal in another country.
We strongly refute any suggestion that Dr Haddad might have been made redundant for political, philosophical or other views.
CBRL’s historic and important archival work has continued in East Jerusalem at the Kenyon Institute since this post was made redundant. We are pleased to report that we recently secured funding to continue this work at the Institute and in the wider Levant.