The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed its appreciation for and solidarity with Ben & Jerry’s as it filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, accusing the corporation of silencing Ben & Jerry’s advocacy for Palestinian human rights. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, highlights Unilever’s repeated interference with Ben & Jerry’s social mission, including the silencing of the company’s advocacy for Palestinian human rights and peace.
Ben & Jerry’s claims that Unilever violated its contractual commitments to respect Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board’s authority over the company’s social mission and brand integrity. In addition to blocking public statements supporting a ceasefire and safe passage for Palestinian refugees, Unilever also attempted to halt Ben & Jerry’s donations to Jewish Voice for Peace and CAIR-SFBA—organizations that have been vocal in their advocacy for Palestinian rights and the end of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
“CAIR-SFBA applauds Ben & Jerry’s for its unwavering commitment to human rights and for resisting efforts to silence its advocacy for justice. Unilever’s actions represent a dangerous precedent of corporate censorship that aims to suppress voices supporting Palestinian rights, particularly at a time when the global community must stand against genocide and oppression.”
The legal complaint also highlights Unilever’s failure to adhere to financial commitments to Palestinian farmers through Canaan Fair Trade, as part of a broader effort to undermine Ben & Jerry’s social mission. This dispute underscores the critical need for corporate accountability in supporting human rights causes and the organizations that advocate for justice.
“We support Ben & Jerry’s in its fight for the right to stand by its mission and support organizations advocating for the rights of Palestinians,” added Billoo. “Unilever’s obstruction of these efforts is a direct contradiction to its own stated commitment to human rights. We will continue to fight for the rights of all marginalized communities, including Palestinians, and stand by organizations like Ben & Jerry’s that are committed to making a difference.”
