The statement comes shortly after co-founder Ben Cohen was arrested while protesting in the US Senate over the country’s provision of military aid to Israel.
Human rights organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and numerous scholars of genocide from around the world have also concluded that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
The International Criminal Court has also issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the former Israeli minister of defence.
“Ben & Jerry’s believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza,” the Ben & Jerry’s board said in a statement seen by Reuters.
“We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza – from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest.”
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream has not been sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 2022, while it is distributed in Israel under a licence agreement.
According to official figures, at least 54,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israel since 7 October 2023, while a Lancet study from earlier this year has estimated that the actual death toll is about 40% higher than the recorded number.
United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres has also said that the “entire population of Gaza is facing the risk of famine” because of a blockade on aid entering the strip.
When asked about its own stance, a spokesperson for parent company Unilever said: “We took notice of the comments made by members of the social mission Board of Ben & Jerry’s. Unilever supports efforts for a peaceful resolution and the end of violence to conflicts around the world.
“Unilever is in litigation with the abovementioned Board and will not comment on its positions.”
Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit against Unilever in November 2024 accusing the firm of silencing the ice cream maker’s attempts speak out against Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip as well as its calls for a permanent and immediate ceasefire.
Reports then emerged earlier this year that Cohen and fellow founder Jerry Greenfield had held talks about buying the brand back from Unilever. However, the possibility of a sale was denied by Unilever.
Unilever is currently in the process of demerging its ice cream business, with the separate entity set to be known as The Magnum Ice Cream Company.
The new independent firm will be based out of Amsterdam and will have its primary listing on the Euronext Amsterdam, with secondary listings in New York and London.
In related news, last month members of the Co-op voted in favour of a motion that called for the supermarket to cease all trading with Israel.
The motion received backing from nearly 73% of Co-op members that voted.
