Fund threat vs. B&J’s parent Unilever

The main pension fund for New York’s state government workers and retirees warned Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever, on Friday that it might restrict its investments in the company because of the ice cream maker’s decision to halt sales in Israeli-occupied territories.

In a letter obtained by The Post, Liz Gordon, executive director of corporate governance for the $254.8 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund, informed Unilever CEO Alan Jope that state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli “is troubled and concerned” by Ben & Jerry’s announcement.

Gordon noted that the state pension fund has a policy of restricting investments in companies involved in the anti-Israel boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, and reports suggest that “Ben & Jerry’s, a Unilever wholly owned subsidiary, is involved in BDS activities.”

“The Fund views BDS activities as a potential threat to Israel, its economy, and, as a result, the Fund’s relevant investments,” she wrote.

Gordon gave Jope 90 days to respond to the letter and “confirm or deny whether Unilever or its subsidiaries have undertaken any activities with the intent to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations with, the State of Israel.”

She added that if the company fails to respond, London-based Unilever will be “subject to a detailed review and staff recommendation, which may include investment restrictions.”

According to the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s most recent annual report, it has about $73 million invested in Unilever.

Representatives for Unilever did not return The Post’s request for comment.