Ben & Jerry’s post on the shooting in Burlington, Vermont, has caused uproar on social media, with followers asking why the ice cream brand hasn’t taken a stand on the Israel-Hamas war.
Taking to Instagram, Ben & Jerry’s said it was “saddened” by the incident, in which three Palestinian American college students were shot and wounded in the company’s hometown on Saturday.
“Hate against any community of any kind has place in our home state or society,” it wrote. “Our thoughts are with the three individuals and their families at this difficult time and we’re hopeful for a full recovery.”
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However, followers were unhappy that Ben & Jerry’s—a brand known for supporting progressive causes—has not revealed its stance on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Newsweek has reached out to Ben & Jerry’s for comment via email.
On October 7, militant Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 captive. Israel subsequently fired airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended supplies of food, energy, fuel and medicine into the area, before launching a ground offensive into northern Gaza. Since the fighting began, at least 13,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with a further 1.7 million losing their homes, according to the Associated Press.
“Why do you refuse to talk about Gaza?” Instagram user topi.exe asked Ben & Jerry’s.
“You didn’t say a gddamn f****** thing about the Oct 7 massacre so your commitment to the love all and justice rings hollow,” said zevg1.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment
“The only reason I ever brought your ice cream was because I thought you guys supported Palestine,” wrote isaa_cj.
“I’m so tired of all these so-called allies who have all of a sudden disappeared,” said selamdebs. “We won’t forget.”
However, others defended the brand, with user shatilaalrifaee telling commenters to “chill.”
“Ben and Jerry’s is an icecream company not a political movement,” she wrote.
“To those saying they haven’t done enough, please consider the fact that an ice cream company has now said more about the 3 students than Joe Biden,” said laila_1_santana.
“Over the years, I’ve witnessed your brand stand up against discrimination and support the oppressed,” said just_tokyo. “I appreciate your courage and voice in these times.”
On Sunday, Vermont resident Jason J. Eaton was arrested by police and arraigned at Chittenden County Criminal Court in Burlington. The 48-year-old has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and is being held with without bond.
Although known for its dedication to a number of causes—including human rights, environmental protection and social justice—this isn’t the first time Ben & Jerry’s has sparked controversy online.
The company’s Fourth of July post caused outrage on social media, with the brand telling followers: “The United States was founded on stolen Indigenous land.”
In 2021, Ben & Jerry’s angered pro-Israel customers, after announcing it would no longer sell its products in the country or the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The decision was viewed as the brand’s attempt to condemn Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
In a statement on its website, the company said: “We have a longstanding partnership with our licensee, who manufactures Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Israel and distributes it in the region.
“We have been working to change this, and so we have informed our licensee that we will not renew the license agreement when it expires at the end of next year.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.