Ben & Jerry's CEO Ousted Amid Unilever Dispute Over Political Activism

Ben & Jerry's is embroiled in a legal dispute with its parent company, Unilever, following the alleged ousting of CEO David Stever due to his outspoken support for social issues. A lawsuit filed in New York claims Unilever violated merger terms that protect the CEO's position, asserting that his removal was motivated by his commitment to the brand's social mission rather than performance-related concerns. The tensions have escalated since 2021, particularly after Ben & Jerry's decision to halt sales in Israeli-occupied territories, leading to accusations of Unilever attempting to silence the brand's political activism. Recent allegations include Unilever blocking statements on various social issues, including abortion and support for Palestinian refugees. Ben & Jerry's has a long history of corporate activism, which has led to persistent conflicts with Unilever over censorship and brand integrity. Unilever has yet to publicly comment on these claims.