Overview
- Ben & Jerry’s independent social mission board issued its strongest statement yet by declaring Israel’s conduct in Gaza a “genocide”
- A Unilever spokesperson reiterated that the board members speak only for themselves and do not reflect the parent company’s position
- The dispute stems from a 2000 merger agreement that grants Ben & Jerry’s board authority over social mission decisions
- In November 2024, Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever accusing it of trying to silence the brand’s statements on Gaza
- Unilever plans to spin off its ice cream business this summer, a development that could alter the governance dynamics driving the conflict