Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s has accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza, aligning itself with global protest movements demanding justice for Palestinians.
“Ben & Jerry’s believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza,” said the company’s independent board in a statement.
The board also voiced strong support for demonstrators worldwide: “We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza – from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest.”
The language marks one of the strongest condemnations by a major Western brand since the conflict began. It also appears to have reignited tensions with parent company Unilever, which swiftly distanced itself: “The views expressed by the Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board are their own. Unilever has publicly stated its concern about the impact of the conflict in the Middle East and called for a lasting ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.”
Tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever have simmered for years, largely rooted in the ice cream brand’s fiercely independent social mission – embedded in the company since its launch in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
When Unilever acquired the Vermont-based company in 2000, it agreed to the establishment of an independent board tasked with protecting Ben & Jerry’s values. This arrangement has since led to several high-profile clashes.
One major dispute erupted in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling its products in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, citing inconsistency with its human rights stance. Unilever, facing political and investor backlash, later sold the Israeli distribution rights to a local licensee – enabling sales to continue under different branding.
In November last year, the ice cream brand filed a lawsuit accusing Unilever of attempting to block its support for Palestinian refugees. Another court filing, lodged in February, alleged that Unilever had tried to prevent Ben & Jerry’s from publicly criticising Donald Trump. Most recently, in March, the brand claimed its CEO, David Stever, had been ousted due to ongoing tensions over its political activism.
The feud may finally come to a head later this year when Ben & Jerry’s is due to be separated from Unilever as part of a spin-off of the group’s ice cream division.
