Ben & Jerry’s independent board announced last summer that the brand would no longer sell its products in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it was “inconsistent with our values”. The decision was one of the most serious reprimands from a well-known name of Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. He faced strong criticism from within Israel. Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called it a “shameful capitulation to anti-Semitism” and said he would discuss the issue with more than 30 states that have legislation against the BDS movement, which supports boycotts, divestitures and sanctions against Israeli institutions and companies. . . The controversy prompted Unilever to launch a review of the Israeli company, leading to the announcement of its sale Wednesday to Avi Zinger, owner of Ben & Jerry’s current license holder for the area, American Quality Products (AQP). Under the terms of the agreement, ice creams with the same flavors and similar artwork will continue to be sold throughout Israel, but using only the Hebrew and Arabic versions of the trademarks – not the English brand Ben & Jerry’s. A Unilever spokesman said the company would not receive licensing revenue from the sale of the products. Ben and Jerry’s board had planned not to renew the license with AQP when it expired at the end of this year. Unilever said: “I took the opportunity last year to hear the views on this complex and sensitive issue and believe that this is the best outcome for Ben & Jerry’s in Israel. The review included extensive consultations for several months, including with the Israeli government. “Unilever completely rejects and categorically denies any form of discrimination or intolerance. Anti-Semitism has no place in any society. “We have never expressed any support for the Boycott, Sale, Sanctions (BDS) movement and we have no intention of changing that position.” Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST The West Bank and East Jerusalem were occupied by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967. There are now 700,000 Israeli settlers in the two territories – about 500,000 in the occupied West Bank and 200,000 in East Jerusalem. Israel treats the two regions separately, considering the occupied East Jerusalem as part of its capital and the West Bank as a disputed region whose fate will have to be resolved through negotiations. However, the international community considers both areas to be occupied. Palestinians are seeking the West Bank as part of a future independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Ben & Jerry’s has been approached for comment.
