Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) is being sued again by its ice cream subsidiary Ben & Jerry's, which claims the consumer food giant silenced its support of Palestinians in Gaza.
Relations between the companies over the situation in the region have been fraught since 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s threatened to pull its products from the occupied West Bank due to a conflict with its values.
B&J went as far as to issue a writ against Unilever for allowing its franchisee to continue to trade there, a lawsuit that was settled in 2022.
Now, B&J allege Unilever has breached the terms of that 2022 settlement, especially with regard to its social mission.
“Ben & Jerry's has on four occasions attempted to publicly speak out in support of peace and human rights," the lawsuit. states, but on each of these occasions "Unilever has silenced each of these efforts."
In an emailed reply to Reuters, Unilever said it rejected the claims made by B&J’s social mission board adding “We will defend our case very strongly."
Ben & Jerry's social mission has been a highlight of the business ever since it was founded in 1978.
Unilever acquired it in 2000, though in March said it would spin off its ice cream arm, which includes Ben & Jerry's, by the end of 2025 to streamline the business.
Shares in Unilever were unchanged at 4,523p.