Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned Unilever CEO Alan Chopp that Ben Jerry’s plan to stop sales in Jewish West Bank settlements and East Jerusalem will have “serious impacts, both legally and otherwise. aspect”.
Bennett Say The Unilever ice cream brand has taken “blatantly anti-Israel steps” and the government will actively take action against any boycotts against its citizens. These territories were occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War, and the Palestinians claimed that these territories were the core of the future state.
Ben & Jerry’s was established in Vermont in 1978 and has a history of openly supporting social progress, from same-sex marriage to the fate of black people. When it was acquired by consumer goods giant Unilever two decades ago, Ben & Jerry’s insisted on retaining its own board of directors and maintaining independence in terms of its social mission and brand integrity.
“We believe that the sale of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is not in line with our values,” makers of flavors such as Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey Said in a statement on Monday.
The company plans to end its long-term partnership with licensees who manufacture Ben & Jerry’s in Israel and distribute them in the region by the end of next year.
There are signs that this controversial decision is testing the relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company.
according to NBC News, Anuradha Mittal, chairman of the ice cream maker’s board of directors, said that the statement issued by Unilever on its behalf-stating that Ben & Jerry’s will stay in Israel-did not get the approval of the panel she oversaw because it should Approved.
According to NBC reports, Mittal said: “I feel sorry for its deception.” “This is not about Israel. This is about violations. Acquisition agreement This maintains the soul of the company. “
‘whole-heartedly’
In separate statement, Unilever stated that it has always acknowledged that Ben & Jerry’s and its board of directors have the right to make decisions on its social mission and welcomes the ice cream brand to remain in Israel.
The company said that Unilever remains “fully committed to our business in Israel, where we have been investing in our people, brands and businesses for decades,” and declined to comment further.
Unilever’s share price rose 0.6% at 10:39 a.m. London trading time, and there has been little change so far this year.
Israel has successfully resisted boycotts in the past. Two years ago, Airbnb Backtracking After the landlord in the disputed area sued the home-sharing startup, the decision to stop renting houses in Jewish settlements in the West Bank was a controversial decision.
