Ben & Jerry’s Sues Unilever Over Alleged Censorship On Gaza Statements

Ben & Jerry’s has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, accusing the conglomerate of attempting to silence its support for Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The Vermont-based ice cream maker claims Unilever violated their agreement by threatening to dismantle its independent board. I Photo: Choo Yut Shing Flickr

The Vermont-based ice cream maker claims Unilever violated their agreement by threatening to dismantle its independent board, intimidating personnel, and censoring public statements promoting peace and refugee rights.

Unilever, which acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000, has distanced itself from the brand’s progressive social mission in recent years.

A notable rift occurred in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s decided to halt sales in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Unilever subsequently sold its interests in Ben & Jerry’s to an Israeli licensee, enabling sales in those areas.

The lawsuit argues that Unilever violated their 2022 settlement agreement, which preserved Ben & Jerry’s independent board’s authority over its social mission and brand integrity. Unilever, however, maintains that the claims are unfounded and promises to contest the case vigorously.