Ben & Jerry’s co-founder quits over rift with Unilever on Gaza stance

WASHINGTON: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has stepped down from his role as the company’s brand ambassador after a fallout with parent company Unilever over the ice cream brand’s stance on the Gaza conflict.

In an open letter shared by co-founder Ben Cohen on social media, Greenfield said that the Vermont-based company — known for its progressive activism — had been “silenced” by Unilever in recent years.

“It’s with a broken heart that I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s,” the 74-year-old wrote.

“Standing up for values like justice, equity, and shared humanity has never been more important, yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced and sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.”

Greenfield’s exit follows mounting tensions between the co-founders and Unilever, which is in the process of spinning off its **Magnum Ice Cream** unit — a division that includes Ben & Jerry’s.

Ongoing tensions over activism

Ben & Jerry’s has been one of the few major American brands to speak openly on social and political issues, including the Gaza war and immigration policies under former US President Donald Trump.

The company’s independent social mission board — which Greenfield and Cohen are not part of — continues to oversee its activism, a structure that was preserved when Unilever acquired the brand in 2000.

A Unilever spokesperson said the company “disagrees with Greenfield’s perspective” but remains committed to engaging both founders in “constructive dialogue to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s values-driven mission.”

Unilever shares rose 0.9 per cent on Wednesday following the announcement.

Dispute over Israel and Gaza policies

Relations between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever soured in 2021 after the ice cream maker announced it would halt sales in Israeli-occupied West Bank territories.

The decision triggered backlash from investors, leading Unilever to sell its Israeli operations to a local licensee — a move the brand later challenged in court.

Since then, the company has accused Unilever of attempting to undermine its social mission board and restrict its activism. Ben & Jerry’s has described the conflict in Gaza as “genocide” — an unusually strong stance among US corporations.

Earlier this year, Unilever requested most of the claims in the lawsuit be dismissed; a court decision is still pending.

Call for independence

Greenfield’s resignation comes as the Ben & Jerry’s founders push for greater independence ahead of Magnum’s planned public listing in November.

Last week, Ben Cohen led a protest in London, urging Unilever to “free Ben & Jerry’s” and safeguard its social mission — a call rejected by Magnum’s new CEO Peter ter Kulve.

Greenfield said he plans to continue his advocacy outside the company.

 “It was always about more than ice cream — it was about spreading love and fighting for a better world,” he said.