Ice Cream Entrepreneur Arrested for Opposing U.S. Military Aid to Israel and Cuts to Public Welfare
Ben Cohen, the 74-year-old co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and a long-time advocate for social justice, was arrested on May 14 during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing. Cohen, along with six others, was detained by Capitol Police for disrupting the session while protesting U.S. military support for Israel and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
During the hearing—where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying—Cohen vocally condemned the U.S. government’s allocation of funds for military purposes while cutting domestic programs like Medicaid. Capitol Police cited the group for “crowding, obstructing, or incommoding.”
Footage shared by Cohen on social media shows him being forcibly removed by officers while shouting, “Congress is killing children in Gaza by buying bombs and funding it by cutting aid to kids.” In a follow-up post on X, Cohen wrote, “I can’t call myself an American and not take a stand. This is a betrayal of justice, of decency, and everything I thought America stood for.”
He also urged for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has faced a severe blockade since March. “They need to let food reach starving kids,” he cried as officers restrained him.
A History of Civil Disobedience
This latest arrest adds to a growing list of protest-related detainments for Cohen. He’s been arrested multiple times over the past decade—during Democracy Awakening protests in 2016, while opposing military aircraft at a Vermont airport in 2018, and in 2022 for advocating the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Each protest reflects Cohen’s broader commitment to human rights, peace, and holding governments accountable.
From Ice Cream to Activism
Cohen and his business partner Jerry Greenfield founded Ben & Jerry’s in 1978 after completing a $5 ice cream course in Pennsylvania. Known for their unique flavors and bold values, the duo built a brand that also championed social and environmental issues. In 1985, they created the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation to formalize their commitment to ethical practices, environmental responsibility, and social impact.
Even after selling the company to Unilever in 2000, Cohen and Greenfield maintained an independent board designed to uphold the company’s social mission—though that relationship has grown tense in recent years.
Standing for Palestine
Cohen’s most controversial activism has been his support for Palestinian rights. As early as 1998, Ben & Jerry’s stopped sourcing ingredients from the occupied Golan Heights. In 2021, the company made headlines by halting sales in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, citing a clash with its values. The decision triggered political backlash in both Israel and the U.S., with several American states threatening financial action against Unilever.
Despite his Jewish heritage, Cohen has remained outspoken. “I’m a Jew. My whole family is Jewish,” he told Axios. “We support Israel’s right to exist—but that doesn’t mean supporting every government policy.”
Legal Battle With Unilever
In 2022, Unilever bypassed the company’s independent board by selling Ben & Jerry’s Israeli operations to a local licensee, igniting a legal battle. The dispute intensified in November 2024, when Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever for allegedly silencing its advocacy.
The company accused Unilever of blocking public calls for a Gaza ceasefire and punishing leadership for supporting Palestinian causes. Former CEO David Stever’s departure led to amended claims of retaliation.
Continuing to Speak Out
Despite legal entanglements, Cohen remains vocal. Earlier this month, he appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show to discuss moral responsibility, stating, “I love Jesus” to express his alignment with ethical teachings across religions—even though he does not consider himself religious.
Following his Senate arrest, Cohen reiterated his message: “Our government’s role in the destruction of families in Gaza is a moral failure. This isn’t what America should stand for.”
Silence From Ben & Jerry’s
So far, Ben & Jerry’s has not issued a public statement about Cohen’s arrest. Although the company has historically supported causes aligned with Cohen’s activism, its autonomy has weakened under Unilever’s ownership.
As Cohen was led out of the Senate chamber in handcuffs, he remained composed—a quiet but powerful reminder of his decades-long dedication to social justice and the enduring spirit behind Ben & Jerry’s.
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