Ben & Jerry’s sues Unilever over Gaza stance, alleging censorship attempts

Ben & Jerry’s has filed a lawsuit against parent company Unilever, accusing the consumer goods giant of attempting to censor the ice cream brand's stance on Gaza and Palestinian refugees.

The lawsuit alleges that Unilever pressured Ben & Jerry’s to retract statements supporting Palestinian causes, including calls for a cease-fire and safe refugee passage amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. This dispute revives tensions that first surfaced in 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s halted sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, citing alignment with its values. The decision drew backlash, including a 2022 settlement where Unilever agreed to respect Ben & Jerry’s independent board and social activism policies.

However, according to the lawsuit, Unilever has threatened to dissolve Ben & Jerry’s board, allegedly blocking donations to human rights groups supporting Palestinian refugees. Unilever maintains its stance of neutrality in the conflict, as per its statement on the matter, and has rejected the board’s claims of censorship. The lawsuit escalates an already fraught relationship as Unilever plans to spin off Ben & Jerry’s in 2025.