Israel's actions in Gaza are genocide, says Ben & Jerry's
The independent board of Ben & Jerry's has claimed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza in a move that threatens to further inflame tensions with its parent company Unilever.
The ice cream brand, known for its outspoken approach to social issues, said: 'We join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza.
'We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza – from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest.'
The independent board made the comments in a statement seen by Reuters.
Its description of Israel's actions as genocide comes just weeks after one of the brand's co-founders, Ben Cohen, was arrested in the US Senate for protesting against the provision of military aid to Israel during testimony by Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary.
The statement by the independent board threatens to deepen the disagreement between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever. The two sides have been at odds over Israel and Gaza for many months.
The ice cream brand sued Unilever in November 2024, claiming that the company had attempted to block it from making public statements about the conflict.
The two companies have clashed over Israel before, including in 2021 when Ben & Jerry's stopped selling its ice cream in the occupied West Bank, arguing that doing business there was 'inconsistent' with its values.
In response, Unilever sold its Israeli ice cream business, causing a legal battle that was later resolved.
Founded by Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978 in Vermont, Ben & Jerry's has repeatedly spoken out on issues such as refugees' rights, LGBTQ+ issues and climate change.
Though it has been owned by Unilever since 2000, an agreement was written into its $326m (£241m) acquisition deal to allow the company to continue operating with an independent board. This effectively protected the company's ability to take a stand on social issues.
However, Ben & Jerry's has accused its owner of undermining that deal. In March, the brand accused Unilever of ousting Dave Stever, its chief executive, over his outspoken approach to political and social issues, rather than because of performance.
Escalating tensions threaten to overshadow the much-anticipated spin-off of Unilever's ice cream arm into a separate business in an effort to streamline and focus on its core business of consumer goods such as Dove soap and Hellmann's mayonnaise.
A Unilever spokesman said: 'We took notice of the comments made by members of the social mission board of Ben & Jerry's.
'Unilever supports efforts for a peaceful resolution and the end of violence to conflicts around the world. Unilever is in litigation with the above mentioned board and will not comment on its positions.'
Ben & Jerry's and its founders were approached for comment.
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