Ben Cohen Arrested for Protesting US Support in Gaza
The arrest of Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has brought attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the US role in supporting Israel's actions. Cohen's advocacy for humanitarian aid and his opposition to US support for Israel's war have sparked a wider conversation about the moral and spiritual implications of US policy in the region.
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, was removed from a US Senate hearing and arrested for interrupting Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's testimony, shouting that Congress "kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs" and pays for it by slashing Medicaid.
Cohen, a longtime critic of Israeli policy, has been vocal about his opposition to the US support for Israel's war in Gaza. He claims that the majority of Americans are against US actions in Israel and that the country's spending on bombs is a moral and spiritual breach. Cohen has joined an open letter opposing the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC and has previously stated that the US has a "strange relationship" with Israel and supplies weapons for its "genocide."
Ben & Jerry's has also taken a stance against Israel's actions, announcing in 2021 that it would no longer allow its Israeli licensee to sell its ice cream in the West Bank and Gaza due to "inconsistent values." The company's decision was seen as a significant move in the debate over Israel's actions in the region. Cohen's arrest comes as a result of his disruption of the US Senate hearing, where he urged senators to let food reach "starving kids" in Gaza.
The seven individuals, including Cohen, were charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, with Cohen facing a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in jail or a $500 fine. The incident highlights the ongoing debate over US support for Israel and the impact of its actions on the people of Gaza.
Cohen's actions have sparked a conversation about the moral implications of US support for Israel's war in Gaza, and the need for humanitarian aid to reach those affected by the conflict. As the debate continues, Cohen's arrest serves as a reminder of the passion and conviction of those advocating for change in the region.