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.
“Unilever rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any form of discrimination or intolerance. Antisemitism has no place in any society. We have never expressed any support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and have no intention of changing that position.”
Unilever
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”.
