Unilever Ben & Jerry’s: CEO Ousted Over Activism

The dispute between Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever has flared up once again. The ice cream maker alleges that Unilever unlawfully removed its CEO, David Stever, in retaliation for its continued activism, including its stance on the Gaza conflict.

Ongoing Legal Battle

This week’s lawsuit amends a previous legal action filed by Ben & Jerry’s in November 2024. The company claimed that Unilever had attempted to silence its support for Palestinian refugees. Now, the ice cream brand argues that the sudden removal of Stever on March 3 was a direct consequence of its activism.

Ben & Jerry’s claims that Unilever’s actions went beyond the provisions of their merger agreement from 2000, which gave the company control over its social goal.

The Reaction of Unilever

Unilever has refuted the allegations, calling Ben & Jerry’s assertions inflated. The consumer goods behemoth contended that Unilever’s reputation was at stake because the ice cream brand’s campaigning had turned into advocacy on divisive issues.

Furthermore, Unilever stated it made multiple attempts to engage with Ben & Jerry’s leadership to maintain a balanced approach. It did not, however, directly comment on the CEO’s dismissal in its recent filing.

Past Conflicts

The fallout between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever began in 2021 when the ice cream maker announced it would cease sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.In response, Unilever sold a local operator its Israeli business license, sparking a legal battle that was resolved in 2022.

Ben & Jerry’s accused Unilever of limiting their criticism of Donald Trump in addition to the Gaza situation. Unilever insisted that all it asked for was a more impartial statement free of insults.

An Activism Legacy

Ben & Jerry’s has never held back when it comes to social issues like LGBTQIA+ rights, climate change, and racial justice.Notably, before same-sex marriage was legalized in Australia in 2017, the company prohibited selling two scoops of the same flavor. In Australia’s 2023 Voice referendum, it backed the Yes vote.

If the legal battle continues, both companies risk suffering financial and reputational harm. While Unilever places a higher priority on brand safety, Ben & Jerry’s is unwavering in its adherence to its values, even at the expense of business harmony.

Source: ABC