Lawsuit claims consumer goods giant tried to silence statements on ceasefire and block donations to activist groups

In escalation of long-running tensions, the ice-cream brand says its parent company blocked statements in support of Palestinian rights.

The ice cream brand, known for its activism, sued parent company Unilever, alleging it was blocked from calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that parent company Unilever has silenced its attempts to express support for Palestinian refugees and threatened to dismantle its board and sue its members over the issue.

The ice cream maker claimed in a lawsuit that its parent company tried to stop it from expressing support for Palestinian refugees.

The independent board of Ben & Jerry’s has accused its parent company, Unilever Plc, of silencing it on advocating for Palestinian rights, in contravention of an agreement between the two.

FMCG giant Unilever has dismissed Ben & Jerry's claims that it has silenced the ice-cream group's attempts to support Palestinian refugees in the Gaza conflict. Reports from Reuters suggest Ben & Jerry's filed a lawsuit this week against Unilever, claiming its parent company has prevented it from speaking out on the war.

It is not the first time tensions have been frosty between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ben & Jerry's has filed a new lawsuit accusing its parent company, Unilever, of attempting to silence its support for the Palestinian people.