Ben & Jerry's says its parent company Unilever silenced it over Gaza

Ben & Jerry's filed a lawsuit alleging that parent company Unilever has suppressed its efforts to support Palestinian refugees, threatening the ice cream brand's board and planning legal actions against its members. This legal conflict highlights ongoing tensions that began in 2021 after Ben & Jerry's ceased sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, leading to some investors withdrawing from Unilever. Ben & Jerry's previously sued Unilever over a business sale to its Israeli licensee, a dispute settled in 2022. 

The latest lawsuit claims Unilever violated the 2022 settlement, which mandated Unilever to respect Ben & Jerry's board's authority over its social missions. Ben & Jerry's contends that Unilever blocked its attempts to speak on issues like supporting Palestinian refugees and calling for a ceasefire. Unilever, however, refutes these allegations and remains firm in its legal stance. 

Additionally, the lawsuit details that Unilever was to pay $5 million to Ben & Jerry's for donations to chosen human rights organizations, but objected to Ben & Jerry's selected beneficiaries. The ice cream company is known for its social mission since its 1978 founding, continuing this stance after its acquisition by Unilever in 2000. In early 2023, Unilever announced plans to separate its ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry's, by the end of 2025 to streamline its operations. Unilever's portfolio includes various well-known consumer products.