Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has been arrested and charged with 'crowding and obstructing' others during a protest at a U.S. Senate hearing.

The incident occurred on Wednesday as Cohen interrupted a session of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which was being addressed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Cohen's arrest was part of a broader demonstration against the ongoing blockade of Gaza, which has been in effect for over 11 weeks, significantly impacting the 2.3 million Palestinians living in the region.

Activists present at the hearing were already voicing their discontent regarding the anti-vaccine stance of Kennedy Jr. when Cohen joined the protest, demanding an end to the blockade and calling attention to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

During the disruption, video footage captured Cohen being forcibly removed from the committee room by law enforcement.

As he was being taken away, he stated, 'Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US.' He emphasized the need for Congress to allow food and aid to reach starving children in Gaza.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has garnered increasing attention, with food security experts recently reporting that the region is at 'critical risk of famine.' The blockade has severely limited access to essential supplies, leading to worsening conditions for the local population, many of whom are subsisting on minimal food resources.

Cohen, along with Jerry Greenfield, founded Ben & Jerry’s in Burlington, Vermont, which grew into a significant ice cream brand internationally.

Both founders have developed reputations as philanthropists and activists since stepping away from day-to-day operations at the company.

Cohen has publicly supported political figures like Bernie Sanders and engaged in various social justice initiatives.

Cohen's protest aligns with his previous activism related to Israel-Palestine issues.

The Ben & Jerry’s co-founders have identified as 'proud Jews' supportive of Israel, but they have also been critical of specific policies enacted by the Israeli government.

In 2021, they expressed their support for the company's decision to cease sales in the occupied Palestinian territories, clarifying that such a stance is consistent with their values of justice and human rights.

Cohen faces charges alongside seven other protesters, with the accusation of 'crowding, obstructing or incommoding' commonly applied to demonstrators in Washington, D.C. This charge can result in a penalty of up to 90 days in prison, a fine of $500, or both.