"Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield, whose name helped shape the popular ice cream brand, has quit the company, as its rift with parent Unilever ULVR.L deepened over its stance on the Gaza conflict. In an open letter addressing the Ben & Jerry's community that was shared by his partner Ben Cohen on social media platform X on Wednesday, Greenfield said that the Vermont-based company has lost its independence since Unilever curtailed its social activism."
"Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have clashed since 2021, when the Chubby Hubby maker said it would stop sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The brand has since sued its parent over alleged efforts to silence it and described the Gaza conflict as "genocide," a rare stance for a major U.S. company. Greenfield said he could no longer "in good conscience" continue working for a company that had been "silenced" by Unilever, despite a merger agreement meant to safeguard the brand's social mission."
Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's, saying the company lost independence after Unilever curtailed its social activism. His open letter was shared by partner Ben Cohen on X. Ben & Jerry's clashed with Unilever after announcing a 2021 halt to sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank; the brand sued Unilever alleging efforts to silence it and described the Gaza conflict as "genocide." Greenfield said he could no longer act "in good conscience" for a company he considered "silenced," despite a merger agreement meant to protect its social mission. Magnum said it disagrees, sought engagement, and confirmed Greenfield stepped down as brand ambassador and is not part of the lawsuit.
Read at Irish Independent
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