Unilever's joint founder Ben Jerry quits, highlighting the company's inaction amidst the Gaza conflict, referencing its alleged silence on the purported genocide.
In a letter addressed to the Ben & Jerry's community, co-founder Jerry Greenfield has announced his departure from the iconic ice cream company. The decision comes amidst a deepening rift between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company, Unilever.
The dispute between the two parties began in 2021, when Ben & Jerry's decided to stop sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This move was met with resistance from Unilever, leading to a growing divide between the ice cream brand and its corporate parent.
In his letter, Greenfield claimed that Ben & Jerry's has lost its independence due to Unilever's actions. He asserted that the company has been "silenced" by Unilever, curtailing its social activism. Greenfield stepped down as a brand ambassador for Magnum Ice Cream, Unilever's ice cream unit, and is not a party to the lawsuit that Ben & Jerry's has since filed against Unilever.
The lawsuit alleges that Unilever has attempted to silence Ben & Jerry's, describing the Gaza conflict as "genocide." Ben & Jerry's has also been calling for its own spin-off ahead of a planned listing of Magnum Ice Cream in November.
The merger agreement between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever, which took place in 2000, was meant to safeguard the brand's social mission. However, Greenfield feels that this agreement has not been upheld, leading to his decision to leave the company.
The new CEO of Magnum Ice Cream, Peter ter Kulve, assumed the role in 2025 as the company prepares for its demerger and independent listing. Magnum Ice Cream Company disagrees with Greenfield's perspective and seeks to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation.
Cohen, Greenfield's partner, demanded last week to "free Ben & Jerry's" to protect its social values, a demand that was rebuffed by the new Magnum CEO. Unilever did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Greenfield's departure.
Ben & Jerry's was founded by Cohen and Greenfield in 1978 and has kept its socially conscious mission throughout its history. The ice cream brand has been a vocal advocate for various social causes, earning it a loyal following and a reputation as a progressive company.
As the situation between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever unfolds, it remains to be seen how this rift will impact the future of the beloved ice cream brand.
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