Unilever Blocks 'Flavor for Palestine,' But Not Genocide Profits
Mainstream outlets like The Hill report that Ben Cohen wanted a 'flavor for Palestine' (imagine the uproar over a 'Free Palestine' scoop), but Unilever, Ben & Jerry's parent company, shut it down. This, from the same corporation that conveniently ignores its ice cream being sold in illegal settlements, a 2021 controversy that saw Unilever's shares jump after they walked back the Ben & Jerry's
decision to exit the occupied territories. Apparently boycotting illegal occupation is bad for business, but a bit of watermelon branding is a bridge too far. It appears Unilever has no issue selling in territories deemed illegal under international law, but a simple solidarity gesture toward Palestinians is immediately flagged and squashed. The company's eagerness to protect bottom lines over
human rights is a familiar corporate tune, played loudly whenever Palestinian solidarity clashes with powerful political sensitivities. One might wonder if calls for cessation of business with entities linked to illegal settlements would also be dismissed as 'flavor' disputes.