The independent board of Ben & Jerry’s has described the ongoing conflict in Gaza as a genocide, intensifying its long-running dispute with parent company Unilever.

In a statement obtained by Reuters, the board said, “Ben & Jerry’s believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza.” The board expressed solidarity with activists, including those risking arrest, who have condemned the war.

Unilever quickly distanced itself, saying the comments reflect the views of Ben & Jerry’s independent social mission board alone. “We call for peace in the region and for relief for all those whose lives have been impacted,” a Unilever spokesperson said.

Tensions between the Vermont-based ice cream maker and Unilever have been building since 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s said it would halt sales in Israeli-occupied West Bank territories. The brand sued Unilever last year, alleging interference in its social mission, including its right to speak out on Gaza and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Unilever is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit and is preparing to spin off its ice cream division, including Ben & Jerry’s, into a separate company this summer.

At the heart of the dispute is the 2000 merger agreement, which Ben & Jerry’s says grants its independent board control over the company’s social advocacy — a claim Unilever disputes.