Ben Cohen urges Kareena Kapoor to cut ties with Unilever over Palestine

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen has publicly called on Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan to end her professional association with Unilever and its ice cream brand Magnum, citing the company’s handling of criticism surrounding Israel’s war in Gaza.

Cohen made the appeal in a social media post on August  di22, saying Kapoor has represented Unilever and Magnum in India for more than a decade. He also referred to her previous public posts concerning Palestinian children and violence in Gaza. [Images](https://images.dawn.com/news/amp/1195709?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

The businessman urged Kapoor to use her platform to support what he described as the values she has previously championed. He specifically encouraged his followers to contact the actress and use hashtags including #BoycottMagnum and #FreeBenandJerrys.

Cohen’s comments come amid a long-running dispute between Ben & Jerry’s and its former parent company, Unilever, over the ice cream brand’s social and political activism. Ben & Jerry’s has historically taken public positions on issues including Israel and Palestine, while its relationship with Unilever has become increasingly strained over the company’s approach to those statements. [The Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/media/ben-jerry-israel-gaza-genocide-eeb21acc?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Cohen has been particularly outspoken about the issue. In previous statements, he accused Unilever of preventing Ben & Jerry’s from developing a Palestine-themed ice cream flavour. He later promoted a watermelon sorbet inspired by Palestinian symbolism after saying the company had blocked the proposed product. [The Times of Israel](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-jerrys-co-founder-unilever-blocked-pro-palestinian-flavor/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

His latest message brings the dispute into Bollywood, with Kareena Kapoor becoming the focus of his appeal because of her long association with Magnum in India.

Kapoor’s own record of publicly addressing the Israel-Gaza conflict appears more limited than Cohen’s. According to the report, she has previously shared the “All Eyes on Rafah” campaign and reposted comments from UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell condemning the killing of children. [Images](https://images.dawn.com/news/amp/1195709?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Cohen’s appeal has therefore raised questions about the responsibilities celebrities may have when representing major international brands. Celebrity endorsements can give companies enormous visibility, while celebrities themselves increasingly face pressure from audiences to ensure their commercial partnerships align with their personal values.

For now, there has been no indication in the reporting that Kapoor has announced plans to end her relationship with Magnum or Unilever.

Cohen’s comments nevertheless add another chapter to the continuing debate surrounding Ben & Jerry’s activism, corporate ownership and the role of celebrities in conversations about Palestine.