Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever has sold its business in Israel to a local licensee

The undisclosed deal will allow Ben & Jerry’s to be sold in Israel but will be distributed under its Arabic and Hebrew name.

Ben & Jerry’s is unhappy with the decision as it says it goes against its social justice values and support for Palestine.

The business was sold to Avi Zinger who owns American Quality Products.

It comes after the ice cream company last year announced it will no longer market their products in Israeli-occupied Palestinian regions.

Unilever, which does not support the BDS movement which aims to boycott, divest and sanction businesses that operate in Israel, have the final say on all operational and financial decisions. 

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid says it’s “a shameful capitulation to antisemitism”.

Ben & Jerry’s is firm on their opinion and say they will not do business in illegal settlements.

The company says that without its recognised social justice values, “it’s just a pint of ice cream”.

Katerina Kostakos contributed to this article.