Pro-Palestine campaigner launches bid to become Unite trade union chief

A prominent pro-Palestine campaigner has launched a bid to become general secretary of one of Britain’s largest trade unions, accusing the current leader of failing to take a sufficiently tough stance on UK defence industry deals with Israel.

Simon Dubbins, an executive committee member of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Unite’s International Director, has confirmed his intention to stand in Unite the Union’s upcoming leadership election.

Dubbins is seeking to oust current general secretary Sharon Graham, alleging that he has faced “internal attacks” due to his pro-Palestine activism.

Dubbins has clashed with Graham in recent years, including over her decision to cancel a Unite Palestine fringe event at the Labour Party conference two years ago.

Despite her own roots on the political hard-left, Graham has adopted a strong stance on countering antisemitism within Unite since becoming leader.

She has also argued for protecting jobs in the UK defence industry rather than supporting calls to cancel contracts involving Israel.

Dubbins, strongly aligned with United Left—the union’s far-left faction—has pushed for a Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel and for Palestinian advocacy to be integrated into core union policy.

Graham, meanwhile, has consistently maintained that Unite’s primary mandate is to protect UK defence and aerospace jobs.

She has publicly condemned outside activist groups attempting to shut down or blockade British arms factories linked to Israel.

Her “jobs first” trade union philosophy has seen her oppose external groups such as Palestine Action, which target defence factories, stating: “the targeting of our members’ workplaces or their jobs” is unacceptable.

In March 2024, Graham sent a letter to Unite staff and officials, hitting back at actions taken by groups like Palestine Action and Workers For A Free Palestine against arms manufacturers.

The letter stated there was “no contradiction for a trade union to hold a position of solidarity with Palestinian workers, while at the same time refusing to support campaigns that target our members’ workplaces without their support.”

She added: “The ‘first claim’ on our priorities is always the protection and advancement of our members’ interests at work… Unite cannot and never will advocate or support any course of action which is counter to that principle.”

However, at Unite’s annual conference last July, delegates passed a motion to back members in the defence and aerospace industries if they refuse to build, handle, or transport weapons destined for Israel.

Dubbins’ views are often channelled through the union’s international committees, including calls for a full arms embargo against Israel.

Graham became general secretary of Unite, which represents 1.2 million members, in 2021, succeeding Len McCluskey during a turbulent period for the union.

She enters the leadership contest as the favourite, with a formidable track record of delivering pay wins, taking on corporate profiteering, and maintaining momentum after her recent victory in the union’s Executive Council elections.