Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has resigned from his role as brand ambassador after a public feud with parent company Unilever over the brand’s stance on Gaza.
In an open letter shared by fellow co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield said the ice cream company—known for its progressive activism—had been “silenced” by Unilever in recent years.
“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. “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.”
A clash of values
Ben & Jerry’s has long been outspoken on social and political issues, from supporting marriage equality to campaigning for racial justice. But tensions with Unilever have grown since 2021, when the brand announced it would end sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. That move triggered political backlash and financial pressure on Unilever, which later sold the brand’s Israeli operations to a local licensee—sparking lawsuits from Ben & Jerry’s.
The ice cream maker has since described the war in Gaza as “genocide,” an unusually direct position for a U.S. company. Its independent social mission board, established when Unilever acquired the brand in 2000, has led much of this activism.
Unilever Responds
Unilever, which is currently spinning off its Magnum ice cream division, said it “disagrees with Greenfield’s perspective” but has tried to engage both founders in dialogue about preserving the brand’s values-based mission. Despite the turmoil, Unilever shares rose 0.9% on Wednesday as it prepares for Magnum’s market listing in November.
Activism Continues
Greenfield’s departure follows a London protest last week led by Cohen, who called on Unilever to “free Ben & Jerry’s” as Magnum unveiled its growth strategy. While Cohen continues his activism outside company meetings, he has not stepped down from his role.
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, poses with a sign as he protests against the Magnum Ice Cream Company capital markets day, outside a hotel in Grosvenor Square, in London, Britain September 9, 2025. Shokirie Clarke/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT
Greenfield emphasized he will keep advocating for social justice from outside the company: “It was always about more than just ice cream — it was a way to spread love and invite others into the fight for a better world.”
