Ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, claiming that the multinational consumer goods company has silenced its efforts to express support for Palestinian refugees and threatened to dismantle its independent board, reports Reuters. This lawsuit is the latest chapter in the ongoing tensions between the two entities, which started in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank due to its alignment with the company’s values. This decision sparked a backlash, with some investors choosing to divest from Unilever.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever intensified after Ben & Jerry’s decision in 2021, which was followed by a lawsuit against Unilever for selling its Israeli business to a local licensee. This move allowed Ben & Jerry’s products to continue being sold in both Israel and the West Bank. The case was settled in 2022, with a confidential agreement that stipulated Unilever would respect Ben & Jerry’s independent board’s role in overseeing the company’s social mission.
Ben & Jerry’s Claims Unilever Violated Settlement Terms
In the new lawsuit, Ben & Jerry’s accuses Unilever of breaching the terms of the 2022 settlement by blocking the brand’s attempts to publicly support various humanitarian causes. According to the lawsuit, Ben & Jerry’s tried on four separate occasions to speak out on issues such as advocating for peace, supporting Palestinian refugees, and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. However, Unilever allegedly blocked these efforts, citing concerns about perceptions of anti-Semitism.
Unilever’s Alleged Interference in Human Rights Advocacy
Ben & Jerry’s claims that Unilever prevented it from publicly supporting several causes, including advocating for Palestinian refugees’ safe passage to Britain, backing protests at U.S. colleges against civilian deaths in Gaza, and halting U.S. military aid to Israel. Despite the independent board speaking out on some of these issues, Ben & Jerry’s says the company’s public voice was effectively muzzled.
Unilever’s Concerns Over Anti-Semitism Perception
The lawsuit also highlights a comment from Unilever’s head of ice cream, Peter ter Kulve, who reportedly expressed concern over the potential “perception of anti-Semitism” in response to Ben & Jerry’s stance on Palestinian refugees, particularly regarding its advocacy on Gaza.
Disputes Over Charity Donations
Under the 2022 settlement, Unilever was also required to make $5 million in payments to Ben & Jerry’s to fund donations to human rights organizations of its choice. Ben & Jerry’s selected several groups, including the left-leaning Jewish Voice for Peace and the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). However, Unilever objected to the inclusion of Jewish Voice for Peace, calling the organization “too critical of the Israeli government,” according to the lawsuit.
Ben & Jerry’s Commitment to Social Responsibility
Since its founding in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry’s has positioned itself as a socially conscious brand. Even after its acquisition by Unilever in 2000, the ice cream maker has maintained its commitment to social causes. In March 2023, Unilever announced plans to spin off its ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry’s, by the end of 2025 to streamline its holdings.
