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Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested after US Capitol Gaza protest

Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested after US Capitol Gaza protest
World
1 min read
The co-founder of the ice cream brand was removed from a Senate hearing after confronting the health secretary over continued US military support for Israel
Cohen was removed by the police and put in handcuffs [Samuel Corum/Getty]

Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and long-time progressive activist, was arrested on Wednesday after confronting Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and lawmakers over US support for Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

Cohen was one of seven arrested after being removed from the Senate hearing. The other six protesters were charged with resisting arrest and assault on an officer, according to NBC News.

Kennedy had been reading prepared remarks about his department's 2026 budget when activists interrupted the session, chanting "RFK kills people with AIDS."

Kennedy jumped from his seat in reaction to the outburst.

Cohen then shouted: "Congress pays for bombs to kill children in Gaza," accusing lawmakers of funding arms by cutting Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income families that Republicans are seeking to slash.

Video posted by anti-war group Codepink showed the 74-year-old in handcuffs as Capitol Police escorted him from the chamber.

"They need to let food into Gaza, they need to let food to starving kids!" Cohen yelled as he was taken away.

A vocal critic of Israeli policy, Cohen last year co-signed an open letter titled A Statement From Jewish Americans Opposing AIPAC, denouncing the pro-Israel lobby's influence in US politics.