Ben & Jerry’s rebukes corporate parent, saying the sale of its ice cream in the West Bank is ‘against its values’

Final 12 months Ben & Jerry’s board stated it was going to cease promoting its ice cream in annexed east Jerusalem and the occupied West Financial institution, saying the gross sales within the territories sought by the Palestinians are “inconsistent with our values.” The settlements are broadly seen by the worldwide neighborhood as unlawful and obstacles to peace.

Client items big Unilever, which purchased Ben & Jerry’s in 2000, introduced earlier this 12 months that it was promoting its enterprise curiosity in Israel to an area firm that will promote Ben & Jerry’s ice cream underneath its Hebrew and Arabic title all through Israel and the West Financial institution.

Ben & Jerry’s unbiased board stated in an announcement Tuesday that Unilever’s sale was made with out the board’s consent and any merchandise bought by Blue & White Ice Cream Ltd. “shouldn’t be confused with merchandise produced and distributed by Ben & Jerry’s Home made Inc.”

“Ben & Jerry’s place is evident: the sale of merchandise bearing any Ben & Jerry’s insignia within the Occupied Palestinian Territory is in opposition to our values,” the assertion stated.

An electronic mail despatched to London-based Unilever was not instantly returned Tuesday, however the firm has stated previously it did have the proper to the sale and famous that the deal had closed.

The 2000 acquisition settlement allowed the Ben & Jerry’s board to make selections in regards to the firm’s social mission nevertheless it stipulated Unilever would have the ultimate phrase on monetary and operational selections.

In August, a federal decide rejected Ben & Jerry’s request to dam a plan by Unilever to permit its merchandise to be bought in east Jerusalem and the occupied West Financial institution. The decide stated Ben & Jerry’s failed to point out that Unilever’s choice would damage Ben and Jerry’s social mission or confuse its clients.