Ben & Jerry’s Lawsuit Against Unilever
On Wednesday, Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, alleging censorship and intimidation related to the ice cream maker’s efforts to advocate for Palestinian refugees. This legal action highlights an ongoing conflict between the two entities that has intensified since the onset of the war in Gaza.
The lawsuit asserts that Unilever has recently attempted to undermine Ben & Jerry’s independent board and has sought to suppress its voice on critical issues, including:
- Calls for a cease-fire in the ongoing conflict
- Support for safe passage for refugees
- Backing U.S. students protesting against civilian casualties in Gaza
- Urging an end to U.S. military aid to Israel
In its legal complaint, Ben & Jerry’s states, “Unilever has silenced each of these efforts.” The company, which is headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont, has yet to provide a public comment regarding the lawsuit.
In response, Unilever has vowed to vigorously defend itself against these allegations. The company issued a statement asserting, “We reject the claims made by B&J’s social mission board.”
The backdrop to this legal dispute is the escalating violence in the region. Since Hamas launched a significant attack on Israel on October 7, 2022, Israel has retaliated with a military offensive in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and precipitating a severe humanitarian crisis.
Unilever is not alone in confronting challenges from its business operations amid such geopolitical tensions. Other multinational corporations, including Starbucks, are also navigating the complexities of operating in an environment fraught with social and political implications. Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000 and maintains control over two of the eleven seats on what is intended to be an independent board.
