Ben & Jerry’s to stop sales in West Bank, east Jerusalem

MONTPELIER,Vermont — Ben & Jerry’s said Monday it would stop selling its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem, saying the sales in the territories sought by the Palestinians are “inconsistent with our values.” The announcement was one of the strongest and highest-profile rebukes by a well-known company of Israel’s policy of settling its citizens on war-won lands.

The settlements are seen by the international community as illegal and obstacles to peace. The move by the Vermont-based ice cream company drew swift reproach from Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who called it “an immoral decision.” The company said that it will not renew the licence agreement it has in the region when it expires at the end of next year.