Ben & Jerry’s Accuses Unilever of Silencing Its Stance on Gaza in New Lawsuit

New York, Nov 14 – Ben & Jerry’s has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, claiming that it has been silenced on issues related to Palestinian refugees, including its stance on Gaza, and threatened with dismantling its board over these matters.

The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, alleges that Unilever’s actions violate an earlier 2022 settlement. The settlement, which resolved a previous legal dispute over Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, included an agreement that Unilever would respect Ben & Jerry’s independent board’s authority over its social mission.

Ben & Jerry’s, known for its social activism, has been at odds with Unilever since 2021 when it announced it would stop selling in the West Bank due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, citing it as inconsistent with its values. This move prompted backlash, including divestments from some investors in Unilever.

The new lawsuit accuses Unilever of attempting to stifle Ben & Jerry’s efforts to support Palestinian refugees and silence its social activism, actions that the ice cream brand argues breach the 2022 agreement.

The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between the two companies over how Ben & Jerry’s can navigate its social and political stances while being part of the larger Unilever corporation, known for its broad portfolio of consumer goods.(By Reuters)