In a move that sends shockwaves through the corporate world, Ben Cohen, the celebrated co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has severed his final formal tie with the iconic ice cream brand. He has resigned from its board in a powerful protest against its parent company, Unilever.
The dramatic exit concludes a bitter and very public three-year feud, ignited when Unilever overruled the independent board's decision to halt sales in Israeli-occupied territories. Cohen's resignation letter delivers a scathing indictment, accusing the multinational giant of abandoning the very social justice principles upon which the beloved brand was built.
The Irreparable Rift: Values vs. Profit
The core of the conflict stems from a 2022 decision that shook the company's ethical foundation. The Ben & Jerry's independent board, championing its progressive values, voted to stop selling ice cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, arguing it was "inconsistent with our values".
Unilever, however, swiftly intervened. The consumer goods behemoth strong-armed the board and engineered a new arrangement, ensuring its products remained on shelves throughout the disputed region through a new local distributor. For Cohen, this was an unforgivable betrayal.
A Scathing Resignation Letter
Cohen’s resignation letter, obtained by news outlets, leaves no room for ambiguity. He stated his continued association with the board had become "untenable" following Unilever’s actions. He powerfully declared that the parent company’s behaviour was "inconsistent with Ben & Jerry’s values" and has "undermined the brand’s integrity".
This act is the culmination of Cohen’s long-standing disapproval. He and his fellow co-founder, Jerry Greenfield, have been vocal critics since the 2022 reversal, using their platform to condemn Unilever's stance and maintain pressure from the outside.
What This Means for the Beloved Brand
This resignation is deeply symbolic. It represents the final fracture between the original, ethically-driven vision of the founders and the current corporate reality under Unilever’s ownership. The move raises significant questions about whether a brand renowned for its activist heart can truly maintain its soul under the umbrella of a global conglomerate driven by shareholder returns and market expansion.
The fallout continues as Unilever now faces intensified scrutiny from consumers and activists who align with Cohen’s principles, potentially threatening the brand's carefully cultivated image.
