Ben & Jerry’s Israel has launched a new limited-edition ice cream called “Milk and Honey,” available exclusively in Israel, drawing widespread attention online and reigniting debate over the brand’s relationship with the country.

The company said the flavor was developed as part of a resilience initiative supporting communities in southern Israel affected by the October 7, 2023 attacks. It features ingredients sourced from those communities and includes small fudge pieces shaped like Stars of David.

The launch quickly became controversial on social media, where critics linked the product to the company’s long-running dispute over Israel and the Palestinian territories. Some users described it as a political statement, while supporters said it reflects solidarity with Israeli communities impacted by the conflict.

Ben & Jerry’s has been at the center of controversy since 2021, when its independent board announced plans to stop selling the brand’s products in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The decision led to a legal and corporate dispute with parent company Unilever, which later sold the Israeli business to a local licensee, allowing sales to continue throughout Israel.

The release of the Israel-exclusive “Milk and Honey” flavor has once again placed the ice cream brand at the center of the broader political debate surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict.