Authorities arrested Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and veteran progressive activist, on Tuesday after he disrupted a Senate hearing involving US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy Jr. was presenting the department’s 2026 budget. Cohen loudly objected to US military aid to Israel and its humanitarian impact on Gaza.
A Dramatic Interruption
The demonstration started when a group of protesters cried out, “RFK kills people with AIDS,” catching Kennedy mid-speech. Ben Cohen was among them and loudly complained about Congress approving Israel arms deals. He yelled, “Congress sends bombs that kill kids in Gaza and pays for it in cuts to Medicaid,” as he was quickly escorted by security.
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 shared a video on his X account that showed the day authorities arrested him. In the video, he can be heard repeating, “Congress sends bombs that kill children in Gaza by buying bombs and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US.”
A Message of Outrage
Following his protests, Cohen addressed the media, calling his protest an act of conscience that was necessary. “It got to a point where we had to do something,” he stated. Blaming the U.S. government’s signing off on “$20 billion worth of bombs” to Israel, he deplored the reductions in domestic welfare programs such as Medicaid. “Most Americans detest what is happening, what our nation is doing with our money and in our name,” he stated to AFP.
He called on lawmakers to act humanely towards Gaza. “Congress and the Senators need to ease the siege. They need to let food into Gaza. They need to give food to starving kids,” he said.
Broader Political Context
Cohen’s demonstration mirrors increasing domestic dismay with U.S. foreign policy towards Israel. This sentiment has intensified in the wake of recent humanitarian issues in Gaza. The Biden administration has faced increased criticism for military assistance to Israel following reports of civilian casualties.
Cohen, whose activism is almost as well-known as his ice cream, has long been a proponent of social justice movements. His arrest joins the public outcry on legislators to rethink the ratio between defense budgets and social welfare.
