Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, resigns due to disagreements with Unilever.

Jerry Greenfield Resigns from Ben & Jerry’s Amid Political Tensions

Jerry Greenfield, one of the co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s, has decided to leave the company following disagreements over Unilever’s position regarding the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

His partner, Ben Cohen, shared Greenfield’s resignation letter via social media on Wednesday, describing the choice as a “difficult decision.” Greenfield had been with the ice cream company for an impressive 47 years.

In his letter, Greenfield expressed, “This is one of the most difficult and painful decisions I’ve ever made. It’s not due to any loss of affection for the people at Ben & Jerry’s—really, it’s quite the opposite.” He added that when Unilever took over the company two decades ago, there was a commitment to maintaining “independence in pursuing our values.”

Greenfield noted that Unilever’s actions made it impossible for him to continue working “conscientiously” within an organization he felt had become “silent.” He also criticized the current administration for what he called an “attack on civil rights, voting rights, immigration rights, women, and the LGBTQ community.”

Since 2021, Ben & Jerry’s has been in conflict with Unilever, particularly after the brand announced it would halt sales in the West Bank. The ice cream makers’ public stance on the Gaza situation, labeling it as “genocide,” is quite unique among major U.S. corporations.

A spokesperson from Unilever’s Ice Cream Unit, representing the Magnum brand, stated that they “disagree with Greenfield’s perspective” and are aiming to engage both co-founders in discussions to reinforce Ben & Jerry’s value-driven approach.

Greenfield has resigned from his role as brand ambassador, clarifying that he is not involved in the ongoing lawsuit against Unilever. Ben & Jerry’s, established in 1978 by Cohen and Greenfield in a repurposed gas station, has maintained its commitment to social responsibility since being acquired by Unilever in 2000.

Greenfield concluded his letter by reflecting on the brand’s mission: “It’s always been more than just ice cream. It was a way to spread love and invite others to fight for a better world.”