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Ben & Jerry's's co-founder Jerry Greenfield has left the firm after almost five decades, intensifying an existing conflict with corporate owner the multinational conglomerate.

In a message shared on social media by fellow co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield claimed that the enterprise no longer possessed its autonomy after Unilever restricted its advocacy efforts.

The exit represents the most recent development in a dispute that began in recent years when Ben & Jerry's announced it would cease sales in Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem.

An official representative for the ice cream division, which is being spun off from Unilever, stated gratitude to Mr Greenfield but disagreed with his position.

A Difficult Choice

Through his message, Greenfield described leaving the firm as "among the toughest and most painful choices" he had taken, adding that he could no longer ethically work for a organization that had been "muzzled" by Unilever.

This was even with an agreement that protected the brand's social mission when it merged with the consumer goods giant 25 years ago.

Company's Reaction

An official for The Magnum Ice Cream Company stated that the organization had been in discussions with the two founders before Mr Greenfield's decision to depart.

"We disagree with his perspective and have attempted to involve both co-founders in a productive dialogue on how to bolster the brand's powerful principle-driven standing in the world," they said.

Long-Standing Activism

The company has long been known for advocating publicly on progressive causes since its establishment in the late 70s, often supporting movements on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and climate change.

In recent months, Ben & Jerry's stated that its CEO, David Stever, was being removed by Unilever.

This claim was part of a lawsuit filed in a American court by Ben & Jerry's that accused Unilever of violating a contract by trying to suppress its "ethical advocacy".

This followed accusations that Unilever had instructed the company to cease criticizing US President Donald Trump.

A Unilever spokesperson remarked that the corporation was "disappointed that the privacy of an internal discussion has been disclosed".

Additional Events

Earlier this year, Mr Cohen was arrested during a protest in the US Senate over military aid to Israel and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.

Protesters disrupted the session while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr was testifying.

Cohen was charged with a minor violation, while a number of other protesters were also taken into custody and face additional charges, law enforcement reported.