Ben & Jerry’s Board Labels Gaza War a “Genocide”

The board of directors of Ben & Jerry’s has issued a statement referring to the ongoing war in Gaza as a "genocide," marking a significant escalation in the brand’s political messaging on the conflict.

"Ben & Jerry’s believes in human rights and stands for peace. We join those around the world condemning the genocide in Gaza," the board declared.

The statement emphasized support for global protest movements: "We stand with everyone raising their voices against the genocide in Gaza, from petition signers and demonstrators to those risking their freedom."

This declaration stands in contrast to the position of Unilever, Ben & Jerry’s parent company. A Unilever spokesperson responded: "These statements reflect the views of Ben & Jerry’s independent board and do not represent Unilever’s position. We continue to call for peace in the region and assistance to all those affected."

The rift between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever dates back to 2021, when the brand announced it would halt sales in Israeli settlements, claiming such activity was "inconsistent with our values."

The company even filed a lawsuit against Unilever last year, alleging attempts to silence its criticism of U.S. and Israeli policy.

Ben & Jerry’s has long been a lightning rod for political controversy, particularly regarding Israel.