Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested at Capitol Hill protest against military support for Israel

Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen became the center of political attention Wednesday after being arrested during a protest at a US Senate hearing on the military budget. The well-known 72-year-old activist and entrepreneur interrupted the session to denounce US military support for Israel and the blockade of Gaza.

• It happened during the debate on the defense budget.
• Cohen shouted: "They are financing bombs that kill children."
• He held a sign with Palestinian casualty figures.
• Capitol Police forcibly removed him
• 7 more people were arrested

"While they're cutting social programs here, they're spending millions on weapons that kill civilians. These are your values?" Cohen declared before being arrested.

• 1. Obstruction (up to 90 days in jail)
• 2. Disturbing the peace ($500 fine)
• 3. Passive resistance (by not leaving voluntarily)

Cohen is no stranger to political controversy:

• 2012 : Protested against money in political campaigns
• 2015: Marched for climate change
• 2020 : Withdrew products from occupied territories
• 2022: Criticized Russian invasion of Ukraine

• Progressives: Praise for his courage
• Conservatives: They accuse him of anti-Semitism
• Ben & Jerry's: It distanced itself from the shares

The hearing continued after the arrests, but the incident has already sparked national debate about the limits of civil protest.