In a move that marks the end of an era for one of America’s most iconic and socially conscious brands, Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has officially announced his departure from the company after 47 years. The split comes amid growing tensions with parent company Unilever over its stance on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict — a divide Greenfield says left him feeling silenced and sidelined.
Founded in 1978 by childhood friends Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, Ben & Jerry’s quickly became known not just for its inventive ice cream flavors but also for its outspoken commitment to social justice. The brand’s legacy includes public stances on racial equality, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and corporate accountability — a rare combination in the world of consumer goods.
However, according to Greenfield, that activist spirit has been increasingly constrained under the ownership of Unilever, which acquired the brand in 2000. While the deal allowed Ben & Jerry’s to retain an independent board to safeguard its social mission, Greenfield says that autonomy has gradually eroded — and recent events brought matters to a breaking point.
“I’ve spent nearly five decades building something that stood for more than just dessert,” Greenfield said in a public statement. “But in recent months, I’ve found myself unable to speak freely on issues that matter to me and to the values this company was built on. That’s not something I can accept.”
The catalyst for his departure appears to have been the company’s internal disagreements over its response to the Israel-Hamas war. While Ben & Jerry’s has historically been unafraid to weigh in on global political matters, Greenfield claims that Unilever blocked statements he and others within the company wanted to release regarding what they saw as human rights violations in Gaza.
Multiple sources close to the company report that a proposed statement criticizing Israeli military actions was met with immediate pushback from Unilever executives, who feared political fallout and legal consequences in certain markets. Greenfield, who has long advocated for Palestinian rights, allegedly felt the decision was not only a betrayal of the brand’s values but a direct attempt to silence him.
Unilever has not issued a detailed public response but stated broadly that it remains “committed to upholding the integrity and values of all its brands while managing sensitive global issues responsibly.”
The exit of Greenfield — the quieter, often less publicly visible half of the co-founding duo — sends a powerful message. Though Ben Cohen stepped away from daily operations years ago, both founders continued to act as the conscience of the company, often reemerging in times of political controversy to remind the public what Ben & Jerry’s was all about.
Now, with Greenfield gone, questions swirl about the future direction of the brand and whether it can truly maintain its reputation for bold advocacy under the umbrella of a global conglomerate.
In recent years, Ben & Jerry’s has faced mounting scrutiny over its political messaging. The company drew both praise and backlash for its decision to stop selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied territories in 2021 — a move that triggered legal disputes, calls for boycotts, and condemnation from some U.S. politicians. That episode, too, was reportedly a flashpoint between Ben & Jerry’s leadership and Unilever.
As for what comes next, Greenfield says he’s far from done. “I may be leaving the company,” he said, “but I’m not walking away from the causes I care about. I intend to keep speaking out — now without restriction.”
His departure signals more than just the loss of a co-founder. It represents a profound clash between corporate control and grassroots activism — and a reminder that even the most beloved brands can face internal battles over the soul of their mission.
