Overview

• Greenfield announced his departure after 47 years in an open letter saying he could not remain at a company that he says has muted its social advocacy.
• He argues the independence promised in the 2000 merger has eroded, citing blocked statements on Gaza and broader U.S. civil rights issues.
• Ben & Jerry’s has filed federal actions alleging Unilever unlawfully replaced CEO David Stever in March and suppressed pro‑Palestinian messaging.
• Unilever’s soon‑to‑be‑spun‑off ice‑cream business, The Magnum Ice Cream Company, thanked Greenfield but disputed his characterization and said it remains committed to the brand’s mission.
• Cofounder Ben Cohen says he will stay to defend the mission internally and is urging a values‑aligned ownership, as the ice‑cream unit prepares a separate listing planned for November.