Ben & Jerry’s to stop sales in occupied West Bank

Date:

Share post:

Ben & Jerry’s has said it will end the sale of its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

It was “inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)” – the company said.

According to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the move was “morally wrong” and would prove to be “financially wrong”.

Since the 1967 Middle East war, both the West Bank and East Jerusalem have been under Israeli control.

There are about 140 settlements where more than 60,000 Jews reside.

But most of the international community considers it illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

Ben & Jerry’s shared a statement on Twitter and Instagram saying its decision mirrored the concerns of “fans and trusted partners”.

It further added that these changes would be made after the current licensing arrangements will expire. And that would happen at the end of next year.

“We have a longstanding partnership with our licensee, who manufactures Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Israel and distributes it in the region,” the statement said.

“We have been working to change this, and so we have informed our licensee that we will not renew the license agreement when it expires at the end of next year.”

The company also runs two “scoop shops” in Israel. It said it would distribute its goods in Israel through a different agreement.

And the details of that agreement would be announced: “when we’re ready”.

Ben & Jerry’s has been owned by the UK firm Unilever since 2000. It said that this decision was taken and announced by Ben & Jerry’s and its independent board. 

Nevertheless, it continued to be “fully committed” to maintaining an existence in Israel.

The firm’s Israeli licensee was quoted by the Haaretz newspaper as saying:

“Global Ben & Jerry’s decided not to renew the agreement with us in another year and a half in light of our refusal [to comply] with their demand and stop selling throughout Israel.”

“We call on the Israeli government and consumers not to permit a boycott of Israel… Ice cream is not part of politics.”

To this, the Israeli politicians reacted wrathfully.

“The boycott of Israel – a democracy surrounded by islands of terror – reflects a complete loss of bearings. The boycott does not work and will not work, and we will fight it with all our might,” Mr Bennett said.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called Ben & Jerry’s move a “disgraceful capitulation” to anti-Semitism and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for a complete boycott of Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians.

“Over 30 states in the United States have passed anti-BDS legislation in recent years. I plan on asking each of them to enforce these laws against Ben & Jerry’s,” he said.

Moreover, Mahmoud Nawajaa, a spokesman for BDS welcomed Ben & Jerry’s decision and wanted the company “to end all its procedures with the apartheid Israel”.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_img

Related articles

Sydney Sweeney Talked About Her Love for Restoring Vintage Cars and Being an Executive producer

Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney opened up about her love for Restoring Vintage Cars and also talked about being...

Jennifer Aniston Revealed She was Bashed by Adam Sandler Over Dating Choices

Jennifer Aniston doesn’t have a happy dating life indeed. As the Friends star has been divorced twice. Moreover,...

Florence Pugh Opened up About Ex-Zach Braff Writing Film Role for Her

Florence Pugh is happy to be in ex Zach Braff’s muse. The Don’t worry Darling alum revealed her...

Hailey Bieber Likes Selena Gomez’s Post Amid Ongoing Social Media Feud

Hailey Bieber is wanting to calm Selena fans down. The model is showing support for the “Fetish” singer...