Elham Asaad Buaras
Ben & Jerry’s has, on November 12, filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, over restrictions related to the brand’s advocacy for Palestinian refugees. The ice cream maker accuses Unilever of attempting to prevent Ben & Jerry’s from issuing public statements supporting refugees affected by the Gaza conflict.
The lawsuit claims that Unilever breached a confidential 2022 settlement mandating it to “respect and acknowledge the Ben & Jerry’s independent board’s primary responsibility over the brand’s social mission.” Court filings allege that Unilever suppressed four attempts by Ben & Jerry’s to advocate for peace and human rights. These efforts included calls for a ceasefire, safe passage for Palestinian refugees to the UK, support for student protests against civilian casualties in Gaza, and the cessation of U.S. military aid to Israel. Reuters first reported the court documents.
This latest legal dispute, filed in New York, adds to a history of tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever over social and human rights issues. Public disagreements began in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling its products in the occupied West Bank to protest Israeli policies, leading some Unilever investors to divest. In response, Unilever sold its Israeli Ben & Jerry’s business to a local operator, effectively ending the boycott and prompting further legal action from Ben & Jerry’s, which it eventually settled.
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield founded Ben & Jerry’s in Vermont in 1978. Unilever acquired the company in 2000, but Ben & Jerry’s retained an independent board, allowing it to continue its social advocacy efforts. The brand has since become known for its stance on social, climate, and human rights issues. Cohen was arrested last year during a protest in Washington, D.C., against the prosecution of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
Unilever is reportedly considering selling its entire ice cream division, including popular brands such as Wall’s and Magnum, as part of a broader restructuring strategy. Despite this, company executives have previously defended Ben & Jerry’s activism as an asset, even as its social advocacy could complicate potential sales.
Addressing recent controversies, a Unilever spokesperson stated: “Our sympathies are with all those affected by the tragic events in the Middle East. We reject the claims made by Ben & Jerry’s social mission board and will defend our position vigorously.”
Photo: Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield founders of “Ben and Jerry’s (Credit: Megan Robertson/WikiCommons)
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