Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Ben Cohen on Protesting Gaza War & US Policy

Civil Disobedience and Protest

• 💡 Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, committed civil disobedience by protesting at a Trump administration hearing.
• 🎯 His protest was against the ongoing war in Gaza, which he described as a genocide of innocent people.
• 🚀 Cohen stated he felt compelled to act due to the extensive destruction and loss of life, emphasizing that bombing cannot lead to peace.

Critiques of US and Israeli Policy

• ⚠️ Cohen rejects the argument that Israel's actions are solely self-defense, highlighting the destruction of infrastructure like universities, schools, hospitals, and housing.
• 💰 He points out that the US taxpayer funds the bombs and gifts provided to Israel for these actions.
• 🗣️ Regarding the use of the term 'genocide,' Cohen suggests that even if one disagrees with the label, the actions constitute slaughter or murder.
• 💔 He contrasts the media's focus on fighter jets and bomb explosions with the reality of mutilated bodies and crushed skulls.

Influence of Money in Politics

• 💸 Cohen identifies unlimited money in politics, particularly through lobbying and political donations (like from AIPAC), as the root cause of US policy.
• 🤝 He argues that this financial influence leads to politicians prioritizing donors' interests over the public good, calling it legalized bribery.
• 📉 He contrasts the massive defense budget and corporate tax cuts with the cutting of funding for critical programs like AIDS relief (PEPFAR).

Allies and Political Spectrum

• 🧩 Cohen believes in working with anyone who agrees on a particular issue, regardless of their political affiliation, including conservatives, Republicans, and Libertarians.
• 🌐 He cites the Cato Institute and Dave Smith as examples of allies from the right-wing who advocate for peace and reduced military spending.
• 🗣️ He dismisses the idea that criticizing Israel is anti-Semitic, stating that criticizing a government's policy is not the same as being anti-nation.

Celebrity Activism and Business Impact

• ✨ Cohen advocates for celebrities to use their platform for worthy causes, stating that fears of blowback are often overblown.
• 📈 He shares that Ben & Jerry's has found that taking stands on controversial issues has historically led to increased ice cream sales.
• 📊 He explains this phenomenon using a 30-30-30 model: 30% of customers like the stands, 30% don't care, and 30% dislike them, with the net result being positive.