Ben & Jerry's Sparks Tension with Unilever Over Gaza Conflict

Published 2 days agoUL

Ben & Jerry's Sparks Tension with Unilever Over Gaza Conflict

Ben & Jerry's, known for its social activism, recently intensified its stance on the Gaza conflict by declaring the situation in Gaza a 'genocide'. This bold statement, made on May 29, 2025, marks a significant move in the company's commitment to human rights and peace, directly aligning with global protests and activism. This declaration has added to the growing tension between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company, Unilever, which has been ongoing due to differing views on social issues, as reported by Reuters.

In March 2025, Ben & Jerry's filed a lawsuit against Unilever, accusing them of unlawfully removing CEO David Stever due to the brand's social and political activities. The lawsuit claims that Unilever violated the terms of their 2000 acquisition by dismissing Stever without consulting Ben & Jerry's advisory committee. Allegations of censorship also surfaced in November 2024, with Ben & Jerry's accusing Unilever of attempting to silence the brand's support for Palestinian refugees, as covered by AP News.

The tensions between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever originated back in 2021 when the ice cream maker decided to halt sales in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, considering the move inconsistent with its values. This action led to legal disputes and Unilever's sale of Ben & Jerry's Israel division, a decision that Ben & Jerry's opposed. The ongoing disputes highlight the complexities companies face in balancing governance with activism and brand integrity.

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