‘We don’t need them’

When Ben & Jerry’s, the iconic Vermont-based ice cream chain, announced on Monday they would stop selling their ice cream in east Jerusalem and West Bank settlements they kicked over a mid-summer cornets’ nest.

Both local businesses and Israeli ice cream lovers had plenty to say on Tuesday.

“I don’t like it. If someone doesn’t like Israel, we don’t need them. We give them money, but they don’t give us money,” said Rami, the owner of Jerusalem market Rami’s Corner.

Uri, a minimarket employee, explained that “it’s a problem because Ben & Jerry are Jewish. But I’m not going to take (the ice cream) and throw it in the garbage. The whole thing is not good.”

Maayan, who shops in Jerusalem, but lives in a settlement, stated that “I know all about the Israeli factory. The whole thing isn’t clear. Maybe I’ll still buy it.”

Maayan is referring to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Be’er Tuviya, which employs hundreds of Israelis. The factory is identical to one in the US except that it follows kashrut regulations.

Jerusalem resident Eytan,said that “It’s not surprising that these big companies are against settlements, but it doesn’t affect me so much. I don’t like (the decision), but what can you do.”

When pressed on whether he’ll continue to buy Ben & Jerry’s, he replied with a laugh, “Ya. I like it.”