Unilever confronts Mittal’s anti-Israel extremism as Ben & Jerry’s leadership faces backlash for empowering hostility.
Ben & Jerry’s independent board chair Anuradha Mittal has ignited fresh outrage after defiantly refusing to resign, even as Unilever prepares to launch its newly separated Magnum Ice Cream Company on Monday. The split will place Ben & Jerry’s inside the new entity—complete with its long-standing internal war over the brand’s radical anti-Israel politics.
Magnum’s leadership announced in November that Mittal “no longer meets the criteria” for board service following internal governance investigations. Though the division did not disclose the full findings, the statement signals deepening alarm inside the company, which is inheriting Ben & Jerry’s highly politicized and increasingly controversial activist identity.
An audit of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, where Mittal has served since 2012, revealed serious failures in financial controls, transparency, and governance practices. Mittal dismissed the review as a “manufactured inquiry,” attempting to portray herself as the victim rather than addressing criticism. Observers note that her response mirrors the same deflection tactics used when she championed the brand’s hostile stance toward Israel.
The corporate battle traces back to 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s—under Mittal’s guidance—announced its boycott of Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. The move, celebrated by anti-Israel groups, was denounced worldwide and even led watchdog StopAntisemitism to name Mittal “Antisemite of the Year.” The controversy has since escalated, with the board repeatedly issuing inflammatory statements portraying Israel as the aggressor while excusing Palestinian terror and destabilization.
As Magnum prepares for its public listing, the new company has clarified that the dispute is not personal but rooted in restoring responsible corporate governance. Yet the feud underscores a hard truth: Ben & Jerry’s leadership embraced extreme anti-Israel narratives, damaging the brand and deepening internal division. Whether the new structure reins in such activism—or becomes another battleground—remains to be seen.
