Ben & Jerry’s founder calls on Kareena Kapoor to rethink Magnum ties over Palestine issue

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen has publicly called on Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan to reconsider her association with Unilever and its ice-cream brand Magnum, urging her to use her platform to support Palestinians. Cohen, who has long been an outspoken critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and has publicly challenged the corporate ownership of Ben & Jerry’s, addressed Kapoor directly in a post on X on August 21. In the post, Cohen referenced Kapoor’s long-running association with Magnum and her previous public statements about violence against Palestinian children. “Kareena Kapoor Khan has represented Unilever for more than a decade. She has also used her platform to condemn the violence committed against Palestinian children,” Cohen wrote. He went on to allege that the company had “actively” sought to silence criticism of the Israeli government, before urging Kapoor to take a stronger position. Kareena Kapoor Khan has represented Unilever/Magnum for more than a decade. She has also used her platform to condemn the violence committed against Palestinian children. But Unilever/Magnum—the company that hired Kareena to promote its products—actively silences criticism of the… pic.twitter.com/IYrHFMzVFF — Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) August 21, 2026   Cohen’s comments come amid a continuing dispute surrounding Ben & Jerry’s and its corporate ownership. The ice-cream brand was separated from Unilever’s ice-cream business in 2025 and is now owned by Magnum Ice Cream Company. The dispute has included disagreements over Ben & Jerry’s social-activism policies. In a lawsuit, Ben & Jerry’s and members of its independent board accused Unilever of interfering with the brand’s social mission, claims the company has disputed. On August 21, a US judge dismissed several claims in the lawsuit and ruled that Magnum, rather than Unilever, would be the primary defendant going forward. Against that backdrop, Cohen called on Kapoor to use her public profile to support efforts he believes would protect Ben & Jerry’s independence. “We believe that if this is brought to Kareena’s attention, she will stand up for what’s right,” he wrote. He also encouraged his followers to draw Kapoor’s attention to the issue, using hashtags including #BoycottMagnum and #FreeBenAndJerrys. Cohen has remained vocal about the war in Gaza and has frequently used social media to express his views on the conflict and corporate responsibility. His activism has also extended to protests and civil-disobedience actions. In April, Cohen was among dozens of people arrested during a protest at a Lockheed Martin facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, according to reports from local outlets. His latest post involving Kapoor places the actor’s brand associations within a wider conversation about celebrity endorsements, corporate responsibility and the extent to which public figures should use their platforms to address international conflicts.