Ben & Jerry’s has escalated its legal battle against parent company Unilever, alleging that CEO David Stever was fired for supporting the brand’s political activism. The claim was made in an amended lawsuit filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Allegations of Silencing Activism
According to the complaint, Stever was dismissed on March 3 after Unilever repeatedly pressured Ben & Jerry’s leadership to limit its public statements on social issues. The ice cream company argues that this violates a 2022 agreement granting its independent board control over its social mission.
Ben & Jerry’s claims Unilever obstructed its efforts to comment on the Israel-Hamas war, including blocking a May 2024 statement advocating for Palestinian civilians. The lawsuit also accuses Unilever of preventing donations to groups like Jewish Voice for Peace and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Unilever’s Response
Unilever has denied the allegations, stating that it followed proper procedures in Stever’s removal. The company maintains that it aims to remain neutral on contentious political issues and expressed concerns about the potential backlash from Ben & Jerry’s statements. In a motion to dismiss the case, Unilever argued that the brand’s activism has become increasingly divisive, putting both companies at risk.
A History of Conflict
This legal dispute follows previous tensions between the two companies. In 2022, Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever over its decision to sell its Israeli business to a local licensee, which undermined the ice cream brand’s boycott of sales in the region.
The lawsuit claims Unilever’s actions have harmed Ben & Jerry’s brand integrity, while Unilever insists the ice cream maker’s board lacks standing to bring forward these claims.
Unilever has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Ben & Jerry’s has failed to prove damages. The case continues to unfold as tensions between the two companies escalate.