On May 14, 2025, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, was arrested during a U.S. Senate hearing for protesting U.S. policies related to the Gaza conflict. The incident occurred during a session of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying. Cohen disrupted the proceedings by vocally criticizing U.S. military aid to Israel and domestic healthcare cuts, stating, "Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US."

Capitol Police arrested Cohen along with six other protesters. He was charged with "crowding, obstructing, or incommoding," a misdemeanor offense often applied in cases of civil disobedience in Washington, D.C. If convicted, Cohen faces up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine. Ben & Jerry's, known for its progressive stance on social issues, has not issued an official response to Cohen's arrest. The company, acquired by Unilever in 2000, continues to engage in social advocacy, including its decision in 2021 to halt ice cream sales in Israeli-occupied territories. Cohen's recent arrest underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. foreign policy and domestic spending priorities, as well as the role of corporate figures in political activism.

The protest highlighted concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 500,000 people face starvation due to Israeli aid restrictions, according to United Nations reports. Cohen's actions are consistent with his long-standing commitment to social activism, including previous arrests for protesting U.S. policies and support for various human rights causes.

Ben & Jerry's, known for its progressive stance on social issues, has not issued an official response to Cohen's arrest. The company, acquired by Unilever in 2000, continues to engage in social advocacy, including its decision in 2021 to halt ice cream sales in Israeli-occupied territories. Cohen's recent arrest underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. foreign policy and domestic spending priorities, as well as the role of corporate figures in political activism.