Ben & Jerry’s sales in Israel ‘unlawful’

SELLING Ben & Jerry’s in Israel is against international law, the company’s board has claimed, as a row between the ice cream maker and its parent company Unilever rumbles on.

The independent board of the Vermont-based company hit out against Unilever’s decision to allow sales in West Bank settlements via a third party.

The company’s board said: “Ben & Jerry’s position is clear: the sale of products bearing any Ben & Jerry’s insignia in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is against our values.

“Such sales are inconsistent with international law, fundamental human rights and Ben & Jerry’s social mission.”

The comments mark the first time Ben & Jerry’s has spoken publicly about the row since July. Ben & Jerry’s was bought by Unilever in 2000 but was allowed to have an independent board, allowing it to make decisions on what it sells and where. Its board is known for taking Left-wing political stances and earlier this year criticised Joe Biden for “fanning the flame of war” in Ukraine.

The ice cream brand announced its boycott in 2021 but Unilever stepped in to overrule the board, saying it still has “primary responsibility for financial and operational decisions” that gave it the right to sell interests in Israel. Unilever has sold the local business to Avi Zinger, the owner of American Quality Products, which has been making and selling Ben & Jerry’s in Israel for the past 34 years. The brand has continued to be sold across Israel and in the West Bank under its Hebrew and Arabic names.

Ben & Jerry’s board said its ice cream should not be confused with any products sold by Mr Zinger’s company and alleges that Unilever selling the licence conflicts with a legal agreement made by Unilever when it bought the brand.

Unilever said: “The ownership of the brand is different, but the Ben & Jerry’s product is no different to what’s been enjoyed in Israel for many years.”