Ben & Jerry's [Left-wing nut...] co-founder exits after feud with Unilever over Gaza

https://www.reuters.com/business/ben-jerrys-co-founder-exits-after-feud-
with-unilever-over-gaza-2025-09-17/

Sept 17 (Reuters) - Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield, part of the 
duo whose names shaped the popular U.S. ice cream brand over the last 
half-century, has quit his role as "brand ambassador" after a rift and 
public feud with parent Unilever (ULVR.L), opens new tab over the conflict 
in Gaza.

In an open letter shared by his business partner, opens new tab Ben Cohen 
on social media, Greenfield said that the Vermont-based company - well-
known for its social activism on progressive issues - had in recent years 
been "silenced" by Unilever, which is currently spinning off its Magnum 
ice cream unit that includes the Ben & Jerry's brand.

"It's with a broken heart that I've decided I can no longer, in good 
conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry's," 
wrote Greenfield, 74, who had taken on a salaried brand ambassador role at 
the firm.

"Standing up for values like justice, equity, and shared humanity has 
never been more important, yet Ben & Jerry's has been silenced and 
sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power."

LONELY CRITICAL VOICE
Ben & Jerry's has in recent months been a lonely voice among well-known 
brands speaking out on issues like Gaza and President Donald Trump's 
immigration stance, while other U.S. companies back away from diversity 
pledges, and their executives largely refrain from commenting on the White 
House's policies.

Last month, Microsoft fired four workers for protests over the company's 
ties to Israel, including two who briefly occupied the company president's 
office.

Ben & Jerry's independent social mission board, which Greenfield and Cohen 
do not sit on, has led the activism. The sale of Ben & Jerry's to Unilever 
in 2000 allowed the brand to maintain the board, with authority over the 
social mission but not business operations.

A spokesperson for Unilever and its Magnum Ice Cream Co said that it 
"disagrees with Greenfield's perspective and has sought to engage both co-
founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's 
powerful values-based position in the world."

Unilever shares rose 0.9% on Wednesday.


-- 
November 5, 2024 - Congratulations President Donald Trump.  We look 
forward to America being great again.

We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that 
stupid people won't be offended.

Every day is an IQ test. Some pass, some, not so much.

Thank you for cleaning up the disasters of the 2008-2017, 2020-2024 Obama 
/ Biden / Harris fiascos, President Trump.

Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the 
The World According To Garp.  Obama sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood 
queer liberal democrat donors.