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Unilever is cutting about 1,500 fewer jobs in Europe than initially anticipated and hiring about 1,000 people, primarily those affected by its cost-cutting drive, for its soon-to-be spun off ice cream business, the head of the company's European Works Council told Reuters.

The lawsuit is the latest sign of the long-simmering tensions between Ben & Jerry's and consumer products maker Unilever, which rejected the claims.

In escalation of long-running tensions, the ice-cream brand says its parent company blocked statements in support of Palestinian rights.

Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) is being sued again by its ice cream subsidiary Ben & Jerry's, which claims the consumer food giant silenced its support of Palestinians in Gaza. Relations between the companies over the situation in the region have been fraught since 2021 when Ben & Jerry's threatened to pull its products from the occupied West Bank due to a conflict with its values.

Unilever is exploring the sale of some of its Dutch food brands, three sources with knowledge of the process said, as part of a turnaround strategy led by CEO Hein Schumacher to focus on its biggest "power" labels.

Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that parent company Unilever has silenced its attempts to express support for Palestinian refugees, and threatened to dismantle its board and sue its members over the issue.

Unilever has been increasing its dividend for the first time since 2020, which is a reflection of an improvement in operating results. In FY 2024, UL is able to improve its margins and achieve volume growth again, which is a prerequisite for sustainable top-line growth. Based on the earnings growth model, UL appears fairly valued at the current share price.

Unilever's Q3 2024 results showed solid growth, driven by Power Brands and a focus on increasing sales volumes rather than prices. The Beauty & Wellbeing segment led growth, with a 6.70% increase in underlying volume growth, while the Ice Cream segment is set for a spin-off by 2025. Europe's negative underlying price growth reflects economic difficulties, while North America showed the stronges...