Ben & Jerry’s, the ice cream maker, has accused its parent company Unilever of ousting its CEO over the company’s political views. The allegations come as tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever continue to escalate.
According to a Tuesday filing in federal court in New York, Ben & Jerry’s claims that Unilever silenced the company’s social mission by threatening employees who express support for Palestinian refugees.
The ice cream maker said an independent board was set up in 2000 following its sale to Unilever, which is supposed to protect the company’s social mission and brand integrity. However, Ben & Jerry’s alleges that Unilever repeatedly threatened its CEO, David Stever, over his support for Palestinian refugees.
Ben & Jerry’s also claims that Unilever blocked posts on social media platforms expressing support for causes such as Palestinian refugees and Black History Month.
The company said it planned to include a link to an ACLU petition in support of Palestinian refugee Mahmoud Khalil, who is being held as a “political prisoner” for his activism.
Ben & Jerry’s alleged that Unilever threatened to dismantle its independent board if the company issued statements supporting peace and a ceasefire. The allegations claim that CEO Stever was removed due to his commitment to Ben & Jerry’s social mission, not any issues with his performance history.
The dispute highlights tensions between the socially conscious ice cream maker and its parent company.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/03/19/ben-and-jerrys-ceo-political-posts/82548333007