Ben & Jerry's Legal Action Against Unilever: Censorship and Gaza Advocacy
Ben & Jerry's Takes Legal Action
Ben & Jerry's has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The ice cream brand claims that Unilever has censored its advocacy concerning Palestinian rights, specifically by preventing it from calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Allegations of Censorship
The lawsuit states that Unilever has violated an agreement with Ben & Jerry's independent board, which allows the subsidiary to determine its own social mission without interference. Unilever has reportedly muzzled Ben & Jerry’s advocacy efforts on at least four occasions.
Corporate Influence on Advocacy
Ben & Jerry's further argues that Unilever's actions contradict its commitments, as the conglomerate has previously contributed to Israeli groups while maintaining a neutral stance on other significant issues, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This legal battle raises questions about the extent of corporate influence over social and political advocacy.
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