Ben & Jerry’s cofounder confronts RFK Jr in Gaza protest at Capitol

Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and longtime progressive activist, was removed from a Senate hearing Wednesday after confronting US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and lawmakers over Washington’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

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.

Ben from Ben & Jerry’s confronts RFK Jr. and Congress:
“YOU’RE KILLING POOR KIDS IN GAZA
AND PAYING FOR IT BY CUTTING MEDICAID
FOR KIDS HERE.”
While Congress writes checks for bombs, children are starving. pic.twitter.com/nBxzwGnVf7

— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) May 14, 2025