Wed Mar 19 17:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Ben & Jerry’s Sues Unilever, Claims CEO Ousted Over Political Activism

**New York, NY** – Ben & Jerry’s has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, alleging that Unilever illegally removed the ice cream company’s CEO, David Stever, in retaliation for its continued political activism. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims Unilever violated the terms of their 2000 merger agreement, which established an independent board to protect Ben & Jerry’s social mission.

The dispute stems from Ben & Jerry’s long history of taking public stances on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and climate change, and more recently, its vocal criticism of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and US President Donald Trump. The company alleges that Unilever has repeatedly threatened its personnel, including Stever, to silence these outspoken views.

According to the filing, Unilever’s attempt to oust Stever, who joined Ben & Jerry’s in 1988 and was appointed CEO in 2023, was made without consultation with the independent board, as required by the merger agreement. The company further accuses Unilever of attempting to force the board to approve the decision.

This legal action marks the latest escalation in the increasingly bitter feud between the two companies. Previous disagreements include Unilever’s attempts to halt Ben & Jerry’s criticism of Trump and its decision to cease sales in the West Bank. Unilever has not yet responded to requests for comment. The lawsuit promises a protracted legal battle over the future of Ben & Jerry’s and the extent to which a corporation can control its subsidiary’s political activities.

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