Unilever's Ben & Jerry's calls war in Gaza a ‘genocide'
Ben & Jerry's sued Unilever in 2024 over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticise US President Donald Trump. PHOTO: REUTERS
NEW YORK - The independent board of Ben & Jerry's said the conflict in Gaza is a genocide, escalating a bitter feud between the ice cream maker and its longtime London-based corporate parent Unilever.
'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,' the board said in a statement viewed by Reuters.
'We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza - from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest.'
Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have been at odds since at least 2021 when the Chubby Hubby ice cream maker said it would stop selling in the Israel-occupied West Bank.
Ben & Jerry's sued its owner in 2024 over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticise US President Donald Trump.
Its statement on Gaza is unusual for a major US brand.
A Unilever spokesperson said that the comments reflect the views of the independent social mission board of Ben & Jerry's, and they do not speak for anyone other than themselves.
'We call for peace in the region and for relief for all those whose lives have been impacted,' the spokesperson said.
Unilever asked a US judge to dismiss Ben & Jerry's lawsuit.
The company is also in the process of separating out its ice cream business, including Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's, to an independent company this summer.
Ben & Jerry's has said its year 2000 merger agreement with Unilever gave its independent board 'primary responsibility' to pursue the company's social mission.
The crux of the dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever is how much leeway the board actually has. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
27 minutes ago
- CNA
Trump, Germany's Merz begin talks on Ukraine and trade in cordial White House meeting
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opened their first White House meeting on Thursday (Jun 5) with discussions on Ukraine, trade and defence spending, setting a more cordial tone than Trump's recent Oval Office sessions with other foreign leaders. Trump praised Merz as a "good representative of Germany" and "difficult," which he suggested was a compliment. He said US troops would remain in Germany and welcomed Berlin's increased defence spending. Merz expressed readiness for a deeper relationship with Washington. The two conservatives appeared to get along well, trading pleasantries about accommodations and exchanging thanks during their brief press remarks. TRADE AND TARIFFS LOOM OVER DIPLOMACY Despite the friendly atmosphere, unresolved tensions on trade lingered. The US and European Union are negotiating a broader trade agreement crucial to Germany's export-driven economy. Trump, however, signalled flexibility on whether a deal materialises. "We'll end up hopefully with a trade deal. I'm okay with the tariffs or we make a deal," Trump said. Merz, who assumed office last month, had said ahead of the meeting that he expected no major breakthroughs but intended to raise issues such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US tariffs and NATO coordination. Germany remains Ukraine's second-largest donor behind the US. Trump has continued to push NATO allies to boost defence budgets. He hinted, however, that Berlin should not go overboard given its 20th-century history. Merz, for his part, supports increasing Germany's defence outlays to 5 per cent of GDP. SECURITY STAKES AND POLITICAL CONTRASTS The meeting comes amid broader strains between the US and Europe, fuelled by Trump's interventions in European domestic affairs and support for right-wing movements. Trump has also challenged European stances on immigration and digital speech regulation. Merz's team reportedly sought guidance from other leaders on managing meetings with Trump to avoid public clashes. The summit precedes a major NATO gathering, where alliance unity and burden sharing will again be tested. Security concerns remain top of mind for Berlin, which has depended on US nuclear deterrence since World War Two. Trump's past threats to withhold protection from countries not meeting defence targets have unsettled European capitals. Still, Merz has moved swiftly on foreign policy. He led a European delegation to Kyiv shortly after taking office and drew praise from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for backing the proposed 5 per cent NATO spending target. Sudha David-Wilp of the German Marshall Fund said Merz's actions show "Germany is willing to accept greater responsibility for Ukraine and the European security order" — long-standing US priorities. Both leaders share business backgrounds, right-leaning politics, a hardline stance on immigration, and an interest in golf. However, Merz has also criticised Trump. Before his own election win in February, Merz described Trump campaign rhetoric as "ultimately outrageous," likening it to Russian interference.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
FIFA and Saudi Arabia's PIF partner up for Club World Cup
FILE PHOTO: The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 winners trophy is displayed in Times Square ahead of the tournament featuring 32 teams and 63 matches, spread across 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities in June and July, in New York City, U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo FIFA and Saudi Arabia's PIF partner up for Club World Cup - joint statement PARIS - Soccer's governing body FIFA and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a partnership on Wednesday for the Club World Cup, which kicks off in the U.S. on June 14. The partnership marks another major move by PIF to expand its global sports portfolio, following investments in football, golf and motorsport. The month-long tournament will bring together 32 of the world's top clubs for the first time, competing in 11 cities across the U.S. The deal builds on PIF's existing partnerships in international football, including a tie-up with CONCACAF announced last year. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Trump administration ending protected status for Nepalese migrants
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, in Jasionka, Poland, May 27, 2025. Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo The Trump administration has moved to end deportation protections the United States granted to thousands of Nepalese people after a 2015 earthquake devastated the country, according to a government notice posted on Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in the notice that the administration is terminating temporary protected status for Nepal after a review found the country has largely recovered from the disaster. "There are notable improvements in environmental disaster preparedness and response capacity, as well as substantial reconstruction from the earthquake's destruction such that there is no longer a disruption of living conditions and Nepal is able to handle adequately the return of its nationals," the notice said. The department estimates there are around 12,700 Nepalese with the status, which provides deportation relief and work permits to people already in the U.S. if their home countries experience a natural disaster, armed conflict or other extraordinary event. Of those, approximately 5,500 have lawful permanent residence in the U.S. The notice said the revocation will take effect 60 days from Friday, giving the approximately 7,000 Nepalese migrants with temporary protected status who aren't permanent residents until August 5, 2025, to leave the country or change their immigration status. After that date, they could face deportation. The Department of Homeland Security and the Nepalese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Donald Trump, who returned to the presidency in January, has pledged to deport record numbers of migrants in the United States illegally and has moved to strip certain migrants of temporary legal protections, expanding the pool of possible deportees. During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump's administration tried to end most enrollment in the temporary protected status program, but was stymied by federal courts. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court let the Trump administration end temporary protected status that was granted to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the U.S. by his predecessor Joe Biden. Trump has also sought to end the status for Haitians, Afghans and others. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
