Israeli Ben & Jerry’s Milk and Honey Flavour Sparks Social Media Backlash
Ben & Jerry’s Israel has faced widespread social media backlash after announcing a new Israel-exclusive ice cream flavour, “Milk and Honey,” amid renewed controversy over the brand’s political positioning and the ongoing war in Gaza.
The product, promoted by Ben & Jerry’s Israel—an independently operated licensee since 2022—was described as being sourced from Israeli dairy farms and local suppliers, and marketed as a flavour supporting communities in southern Israel affected by the October 2023 Hamas attacks.
The announcement quickly drew criticism online, with users accusing the branding of being insensitive given the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Some posts mocked the launch, while others linked it to broader allegations against Israel related to the war.
The controversy also revived long-standing disputes between Ben & Jerry's co-founders and parent company Unilever over the company’s political messaging and activism. Co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have repeatedly argued that the brand’s social justice mission has been restricted since corporate restructuring.
Ben & Jerry’s has previously taken public stances on issues including refugee rights, climate change, and Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. Internal tensions escalated after attempts to speak out on the Gaza war and Palestinian rights were reportedly blocked by its parent company.
The latest backlash highlights continuing divisions over the brand’s identity, corporate control, and the political implications of its regional licensing operations.
