Conflict in Gaza: Jerry Greenfield steps down from Ben & Jerry's due to disputes with the brand's parent company
In a recent development, co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, Jerry Greenfield, has announced his resignation from the company after 47 years. The reason behind this decision is a dispute over the independence of Ben & Jerry's under Unilever's new ice cream structure, The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC).
The roots of this conflict can be traced back to the acquisition of Ben & Jerry's by Unilever in 2000. However, it has become more pronounced in recent times, with disagreements between the company and Unilever, particularly concerning the Palestinian cause.
Greenfield expressed his disappointment that the independence reserved for Ben & Jerry's at the time of its acquisition has been lost. This sentiment is not shared by TMICC, as they aim to operate Unilever's ice cream business autonomously.
The rift between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever widened in 2022 when Unilever sold ice cream in the West Bank settlements, which Ben & Jerry's claimed was against its values. This move was met with strong criticism from Greenfield, who accused Unilever of silencing and marginalizing Ben & Jerry's out of fear of offending power.
Ben & Jerry's, founded in 1978, has a history of advocating for environmental protection, human rights, and inequality issues. The company's co-founders, Greenfield and Ben Cohen, have consistently stood by these values, even if it means taking a stance that may be controversial.
In May, Cohen was ejected from a parliamentary hearing at the Capitol where he denounced U.S. support for Israel. The conflict between Greenfield and TMICC arises from Greenfield's perspective on the independence of Ben & Jerry's.
In a recent open letter, Greenfield and Cohen requested TMICC to 'free Ben & Jerry's'. TMICC, however, has stated that they are seeking to engage in a constructive dialogue with the co-founders to strengthen Ben & Jerry's position in the world based on its values.
Interestingly, the organization aiming to buy Ben & Jerry's to restore the company's independence is not identified in the provided search results. As of now, Ben & Jerry's is not for sale, according to a spokesperson for TMICC.
This dispute between Greenfield and TMICC underscores the complexities of balancing business interests with social and political activism. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in the future.
