Ben & Jerry's Sues Unilever Over Censorship

Ben & Jerry's has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, accusing it of censoring the ice cream maker's support for Palestinian rights and violating a 2022 settlement agreement. The complaint states that Unilever has threatened to dismantle Ben & Jerry's independent board and has blocked multiple attempts to publicly advocate for peace and refugee rights during the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The dispute stems from a previous legal battle over Ben & Jerry's decision to cease sales in Israeli settlements, which Unilever contested, leading to a settlement that affirmed the board's authority over the company's social mission. Unilever has rejected the allegations and insists that it aims to remain neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This latest lawsuit emphasizes the ongoing tensions between the two companies regarding governance and social advocacy, as Ben & Jerry's seeks to uphold its progressive values against corporate constraints.