Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested after US Capitol Gaza protest
Both Cohen and his fellow co-founder Jerry Greenfield have previously been vocal about their opposition to Israel's assault on Gaza.
READ MORE: Firefighters issue warning as 'extreme' wildfire alert renewed
Earlier this year, their company filed court proceedings after its parent firm sacked its chief executive, alleging that it wanted to stop the boss from making political statements.
Kennedy, the US government's health secretary, was speaking to the committee when the protests started.
Shouts of "RFK kills people with AIDs!" could be heard, along with "when Bobby lies, children die," and, "anti-vax, anti-science, anti-America", which was in reference to Kennedy's views against vaccines.
Police quickly flooded into the room and began dragging out protesters.
Moments after, Cohen got to his feet and accused the US government of being complicit in the deaths of children in Gaza.
The ice cream boss can be seen in footage saying: "You're killing poor kids in Gaza and paying for it by cutting Medicaid for kids here."
As he was dragged out of the room, he continued shouting: "Congress and the senators need to ease the siege. They need to let food into Gaza. They need to let food to starving kids."
Cohen and the six other protesters were arrested on charges of "crowding, obstructing or incommoding" assault of a police officer or resisting arrest, US Capitol police said in a statement.
READ MORE: Anas Sarwar is all over the place on immigration. What does he actually believe?
Police said Cohen was only charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, a misdemeanour punishable by 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.
Cohen later shared a video of the protest on social media platform Twitter/X, writing: "I told Congress they're killing poor kids in Gaza by using bombs, and they're paying for it by kicking poor kids of Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities' response."
I told Congress they're killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they're paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities' response. pic.twitter.com/uOf7xrzzWM — Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) May 14, 2025
Cohen, who is Jewish, said earlier this month that the US had a "strange relationship" with Israel which involved "supplying weapons for its genocide".
In 2021, Ben & Jerry's announced that it would no longer allow its Israeli licensee to sell its ice cream in the West Bank and Gaza, saying that doing so would be 'inconsistent with our values'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Gaza death toll hits at least 300 in just two days after horror Israel attacks
Hundreds were killed in Gaza overnight even as ceasefire proposals are underway, and Hamas demands talks about ending the war as part of any agreement for a two month, phased pause in fighting At least 300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in 48 hours - almost 100 dying overnight from Israeli attacks even as ceasefire proposals are being thrashed out. Airstrikes and shootings killed 94 Palestinians after nightfall on Wednesday, including 45 who were attempting to get much-needed humanitarian aid, local officials said. They were killed while outside sites being used as US-backed and controversial aid stations, leading to claims they have been 'militarised' by Amnesty International. Amnesty said in a report released on Thursday: " Israel has continued to use starvation of civilians as a weapon of war against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip and to deliberately impose conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction as part of its ongoing genocide.' Dozens of people were killed in airstrikes that pounded the Strip Wednesday night and Thursday morning, including 15 killed in strikes on tents in the sprawling Muwasi zone, where many displaced Palestinians are sheltering. A separate strike on a school in Gaza City sheltering displaced people also killed 15 people. Gaza's Health Ministry said the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has passed 57,000 since the war began on October 7, 2023. The toll includes 223 people who had been missing but have now been declared dead. War in the Palestinian Strip has raged now for 21 months - and yet still Hamas fired two rockets at Sderot in Israel earlier today. Even as violence escalated a US-backed ceasefire proposal for a 60 day pause in fighting is being considered by Hamas, having been agreed upon by Israel. Sources told the Daily Mirror it will likely involve 10 of the remaining 20 hostages who are alive in Gaza being released in exchange for a large number of freed Palestinian prisoners. Hamas is thought to be prepared to agree to the deal - having been persuaded that during the 60 days ceasefire negotiations in earnest to end the war will also take place. However some sources believe that outcome is unlikely and Hamas h as insisted war must end without it handing over its weapons and going into exile. Trump said Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. Hamas' response emphasised its demand that the war end, raising questions about whether the latest offer could materialise into an actual pause in fighting. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. The war has left the coastal Palestinian territory in ruins, with much of the urban landscape flattened in the fighting. One of the few industries in Gaza, fishing, has been destroyed with boats blasted by repeated bombing raids. More than 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million population has been displaced, often multiple times. And the war has sparked a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands of people hungry. And there is increasing alarm over fears of mass famine across the densely-packed community. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced near daily demonstrations in cities like Tel Aviv as locals demanded he end the war so the hostages can be released. It is believed only 20 of the remaining Israeli hostages are still alive somewhere within the Gaza Strip, probably hidden in underground passages.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Police hunt for 2 youths after swastikas drawn on Stagecoach bus
Officers have launched an investigation after racial vandalism was undertaken on board the Inverness service on Tuesday. Alongside the swastikas, racial slurs were also written. At around 2.30pm, the youths came aboard the 1 service at Inverness Retail Park, towards Dalneigh. The pair proceeded to draw at the back of the bus, and a passenger later reported the imagery to the driver. READ MORE: Petition to have Israeli military branded terrorist group gains traction Police constable Ben Staal at Inverness Burnett Road Police Station said: 'I am aware that a member of the public reported the vandalism to the driver, however I have no contact details for them. 'I would strongly encourage anybody with any information to come forward to assist my enquiries. 'Please quote crime reference CR/0275204/25. 'We have zero tolerance towards hate crime which has absolutely no place in our community.'
The National
an hour ago
- The National
The National set to launch collaboration with Declassified UK
Declassified UK, founded in 2019 by Matt Kennard and Mark Curtis, has published a wealth of stories exposing the UK Government's complicity in Israel's assault on Gaza. In particular, its small team of journalists has made waves with its focus on how the UK continues to send spy flights and share the information collected with the Israeli military – despite describing the Israeli government as "extremists". Elsewhere, Declassified has published agenda-leading stories challenging the Defence Secretary on the UK's involvement in Gaza and revealing how MPs have accepted cash from an Israeli arms firm. On Monday, we will put out our exclusive collaboration with the team in print and online. The National team is excited to be working with these determined, fearless journalists on a project which other media outlets have yet to fully delve into. Honest, in-depth reporting on UK foreign policy can be hard to come by, but Declassified's work investigating Britain's military and intelligence agencies has shown that there are crucial stories to be told. Its website states: "Declassified UK is independent, relying on the public and trusts and foundations for our finances, and beholden to no-one. "Our journalism informs British citizens what is being done in their name and challenges the establishment in the interests of the public, penetrating Britain's secret state."
