Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Ben & Jerry’s, the popular ice cream brand, has called for a 'permanent and immediate ceasefire' in Gaza. The company's board chair, Anuradha Mittal, emphasized the need for the corporate world to break its silence on the issue and take a stance for peace. Ben & Jerry’s has a history of advocacy and faced backlash in 2022 for its decision to stop selling its products in the occupied Palestinian territories. The parent company, Unilever, forced Ben & Jerry’s to continue doing business with the Israeli occupation. The ice cream brand's recent announcement comes over 100 days into Israel's assault on Gaza, with a Palestinian death toll nearing 25,000 and over 100,000 Palestinians killed, injured, or missing. While few large corporations have spoken out on the issue, labor unions and pro-Palestine groups have called for a ceasefire and boycotts. The suppression of pro-Palestinian advocates is widespread in the US, with some states outlawing companies from participating in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Ben & Jerry’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza is a significant move that highlights the brand's commitment to progressive causes and its willingness to take a clear stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. [25c934cd] [9a2e4cdd] [8adadbf1]
In a recent development, Ben & Jerry's parent company, Unilever, has announced that it will spin off the ice cream brand following clashes over the chairman's anti-Israel stance. This decision comes after Ben & Jerry's announced that it would stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which sparked backlash and calls for a boycott of the brand. Initially, Unilever distanced itself from the decision, stating its commitment to doing business in Israel. However, under pressure from various groups and politicians, Unilever has decided to separate from Ben & Jerry's. The spin-off will allow the ice cream brand to operate independently and make its own decisions regarding political issues. The chairman of Ben & Jerry's, Anuradha Mittal, has been a vocal critic of Israel's policies towards Palestinians, and the decision to spin off the brand is seen as a response to the controversy and an attempt to protect Unilever's business interests in Israel. [5d41ac7b]