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- We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza: statement
NEW YORK: The independent board of Ben & Jerry鈥檚 said the conflict in Gaza is a genocide, escalating a bitter feud between the ice cream maker and its longtime London-based corporate parent Unilever.
鈥淏en & Jerry鈥檚 believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza,鈥� the board said in a statement viewed by Reuters. 鈥淲e stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza 鈥� from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest.鈥�
Unilever and Ben & Jerry鈥檚 have been at odds since at least 2021 when the Chubby Hubby ice cream maker said it would stop selling in the Israel-occupied West Bank. Ben & Jerry鈥檚 sued its owner last year over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticize US President Donald Trump. Its statement on Gaza is unusual for a major US brand.
A Unilever spokesperson said that the comments reflect the views of the independent social mission board of Ben & Jerry鈥檚, and they do not speak for anyone other than themselves.
鈥淲e call for peace in the region and for relief for all those whose lives have been impacted,鈥� the spokesperson said.
Unilever asked a US judge to dismiss Ben & Jerry鈥檚 lawsuit. The company is also in the process of separating out its ice cream business, including Vermont-based Ben & Jerry鈥檚, to an independent company this summer.
Ben & Jerry鈥檚 has said its year 2000 merger agreement with Unilever gave its independent board 鈥減rimary responsibility鈥� to pursue the company鈥檚 social mission. The crux of the dispute between Ben & Jerry鈥檚 and Unilever is how much leeway the board actually has.