Ben & Jerry’s Israel faced online criticism after Israel’s official X account promoted a newly introduced ice cream flavour, prompting a wave of reactions across social media.
The post described the product as the country’s “official ice cream flavour” and featured a new variety called Milk & Honey. The name references a Biblical phrase historically associated with the land that includes present-day Israel and the Palestinian territories.
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According to promotional material shared online, the ice cream includes ingredients sourced from Israeli settlements and contains chocolate pieces shaped like the Star of David.
The campaign quickly attracted criticism from users on X, where many questioned the use of the Ben & Jerry’s brand in connection with political and territorial issues.
Online reactions included criticism of the product’s branding, while others referenced the long-running dispute involving the ice cream company’s founders and its business operations in Israeli settlements.
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has publicly criticised Israeli government policies and has voiced support for Palestinian causes in recent years. He also drew attention in recent months through activism linked to the conflict in Gaza.
Jerry Greenfield, the company’s other co-founder, previously expressed concerns over the company’s direction after ownership changes affected its approach to social and political issues.
The controversy follows earlier disputes involving Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company, Unilever. In 2022, efforts were made to halt sales in Israeli settlements, although the move became the subject of legal and corporate challenges.
The latest debate highlights how consumer brands continue to become part of wider political discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and public sentiment online.
