### Ben & Jerry's Sues Unilever Over Alleged Censorship on Gaza Conflict

Ben & Jerry's has taken legal action against its parent company, Unilever, accusing it of suppressing the ice cream maker’s efforts to make public statements supporting Palestinians during the Gaza war. The lawsuit, lodged in federal court in New York on Wednesday, alleges that Unilever is violating contractual obligations by threatening the autonomy of Ben & Jerry’s independent board, suing board members, intimidating staff, and censoring the company’s advocacy for peace and refugee rights.

London-based Unilever, which acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000, has refuted the claims, asserting in its statement, "We will defend our case very strongly." Despite their ownership, Unilever has distanced itself from Ben & Jerry’s decision in 2021 to cease sales in Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank and contested East Jerusalem.

Upon the sale of Ben & Jerry’s to Unilever, an agreement was made to allow the ice cream maker’s independent board to continue its social mission. This mission includes support for progressive causes such as racial justice, climate action, LGBTQ rights, and campaign finance reform. However, Unilever retained the authority over financial and operational decisions.

The conflict intensified when, in July 2022, Unilever announced its intent to sell its interest in Ben & Jerry’s to its Israeli licensee. This move aimed to market Ben & Jerry’s products with Hebrew and Arabic labels in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, a plan that Ben & Jerry’s unsuccessfully attempted to block in court.

After prolonged negotiations, a settlement was reached to ensure Unilever would respect the board’s oversight of Ben & Jerry’s social mission and brand integrity. The lawsuit claims that Unilever agreed to collaborate in good faith to protect and advance both aspects.

The lawsuit emphasizes that Ben & Jerry’s has been consistently silenced by Unilever when attempting to issue public calls for peace, a permanent and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, support for U.S. college students protesting the war, and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel.

"Unilever has repeatedly failed to recognize and respect the Independent Board's primary responsibility over Ben & Jerry's Social Mission and Brand Integrity," the lawsuit asserts. "The Independent Board initiates this litigation to protect Ben & Jerry's three-part mission from Unilever's unilateral erosion and to safeguard the company from Unilever's repeated overreaches."

In March, Unilever announced a plan to cut 7,500 jobs and spin off its ice cream business in an effort to reduce costs and enhance profits.