Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Jerry Greenfield Resigns Amid Gaza Stance Feud with Unilever

Co-Founder's Resignation

• 🍦 Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has resigned after nearly five decades with the company.
• 🕊️ His resignation stems from a deepening feud with parent company Unilever over Ben & Jerry's stance on the Gaza conflict.

Loss of Independence and Social Activism

• ✍️ In an open letter, Greenfield stated that Ben & Jerry's has lost its independence since Unilever curtailed its social activism.
• 🤝 He felt he could no longer work for the brand in good conscience, despite a merger agreement intended to protect its social mission.

Past Clashes and Board Stance

• 🚫 The feud dates back to 2021 when Ben & Jerry's announced it would stop sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
• ✊ Co-founder Ben Cohen was arrested in May for protesting the war in Gaza.
• 🌍 The independent board of Ben & Jerry's branded the conflict in Gaza a genocide, a significant stance for a major US company.

Unilever's Response and Future Plans

• 💬 A spokesperson for Unilever's ice cream unit stated they disagree with Greenfield's perspective and aim for constructive conversation.
• 📈 Greenfield's departure occurs as Ben & Jerry's calls for its own spin-off ahead of Magnum's planned listing in November.