Ice cream maker believes sales in occupied West Bank go against ‘core values’ of company
Ben & Jerry’s will renew pressure on parent company Unilever to reverse a decision to carve out its Israel-based business, sources told Bloomberg today.
The Vermont-based ice cream maker intends to file a revised complaint before the New York federal courts in the coming weeks in an effort to stop Unilever’s sale of its brand and trademark to local licensee Avi Zinger.
The deal with Avi Zinger would see the ice cream sold in the disputed West Bank territory, which Ben & Jerry’s’ board believes goes against “core values” of the company.
Ben & Jerry’s first sued Unilever in July to block the deal on the grounds that it violates an acquisition agreement signed in 2000, but was unsuccessful before the courts.
The ice cream maker’s long-held stance against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank has been a source of controversy in recent years, leading to backlash from the Israeli government and the divestment of stakes in Unilever from some US investors.
But from supporting Black Lives Matter to refugee rights, the move is in line with the company’s long history of supporting social causes.
Unilever shares were down 1.7% to 3,926p as of Tuesday September 6.
Article by William Farrington on ProActiv.