Groups praise Unilever’s leadership, and call for swift completion of planned spin-off
New York, NY, May 30, 2025 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) and JLens, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and Jewish values-based investor network, today condemned a recent statement by the independent board of Ben & Jerry’s that distorts Israel’s fight against terror in Gaza. The claims are factually inaccurate, inflammatory, and harmful— and this rhetoric serves only to delegitimize Israel’s legitimate security concerns, distort the complexity of the conflict, and contribute to the spread of antisemitism under the guise of social justice.
“We strongly believe in freedom of expression—but Ben and Jerry’s inflammatory and irresponsible accusations about Israel, including genocide, while failing to mention the plight of the hostages or the threats posed by Hamas does nothing to get this conflict resolved,” said Ari Hoffnung, Managing Director of JLens. “The Ben & Jerry’s board should not use their brand as a platform for divisive political activism that risks inflicting irreparable harm on its reputation—and its parent company’s shareholders.”
The Ben & Jerry’s board has frequently weighed in on global political issues, often clashing with Unilever’s more centralized corporate approach. In recent years, the brand has taken a series of controversial public positions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The current dispute is the latest in a series of events that have drawn scrutiny from investors and advocacy groups.
The statement reignited long-standing tensions between the ice cream brand and its parent company, Unilever, which has consistently maintained a distinction between its corporate positions and those of the Ben & Jerry’s board. The company announced plans to spin off its ice cream division in early 2025, a move widely seen as an effort to insulate its global business from continued reputational fallout.
“At a time of rising antisemitism and disinformation, responsible investors can’t afford to stay silent,” said Hoffnung. “Supporting brands that promote one-sided, inflammatory narratives undermines both shareholder value and fundamental human rights.”
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over governance and brand autonomy, particularly when political activism risks shareholder value and public trust.
Many institutions in the JLens Jewish Investor Network, including ADL, are shareholders in Unilever—highlighting the role of Jewish communal investors in advocating for sound governance and corporate responsibility.
JLens’ shareholder advocacy focuses on combating antisemitism and hate, supporting Israel, and promoting the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). This proxy season, JLens has run other campaigns calling on shareholders to reject anti-Israel shareholder proposals at General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Intel and Alphabet.
About ADL
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.
About JLens
Founded in 2012, JLens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Registered Investment Advisor that empowers investors to align their capital with Jewish values and advocates for Jewish communal priorities in the corporate arena. JLens’ Jewish Investor Network is composed of over 30 Jewish institutions, representing $11 billion in communal capital. In 2022, JLens established an affiliation with ADL (Anti-Defamation League), the leading anti-hate organization in the world. More at www.jlensnetwork.org.
