Protesters, including Cohen, disrupted a Senate hearing, underlining the tensions surrounding U.S. military aid and humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Arrested During Senate Protest on Gaza Aid
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Arrested During Senate Protest on Gaza Aid
Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen protests military support to Israel and humanitarian crises in Gaza, leading to his arrest.
Ben Cohen, the co-founder of the renowned ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, was arrested during a high-profile protest in the US Senate, voicing strong opposition to military aid provided to Israel amid ongoing humanitarian challenges in Gaza. The demonstration took place on Wednesday, during a session where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was giving testimony.
Cohen's arrest is part of a larger wave of protests, with Capitol Police reporting that he faced a misdemeanour charge along with six other demonstrators who encountered more severe accusations. Social media depicted a video of Cohen being escorted out by police, his hands bound, where he proclaimed, "Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US."
Authorities reported that Cohen was charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, a frequent charge applied in cases of civil disobedience in the nation's capital. Meanwhile, the other protesters faced charges that include assaulting police officers and resisting arrest.
Ben & Jerry's has long been known for its activism and commitment to social issues since its inception in 1978, often siding with movements supporting LGBTQ+ rights and climate action. The company was acquired by Unilever in 2000, but tensions have increased between them, especially after Ben & Jerry’s decision to halt sales in the West Bank in 2021. The two organizations are currently engaged in a legal dispute, further complicated by Ben & Jerry's support for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
In a response to inquiries, Unilever stated that Cohen's activism is personal and does not reflect the position of the company or the ice cream brand. Earlier this year, Ben & Jerry’s took legal action after the alleged firing of its CEO David Stever due to disagreements over political stances, with Unilever expressing disappointment over the matter being made public. As the legal strife continues, the brand remains vocal in advocating for humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
