Israel's FM says Ben & Jerry’s move a ‘disgraceful capitulation to anti-Semitism’

Record ID: 1627394

  • Title: Israel's FM says Ben & Jerry’s move a ‘disgraceful capitulation to anti-Semitism’
  • Date: 19th July 2021
  • Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (JULY 19, 2021) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COORDINATOR OF THE BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS (BDS) MOVEMENT, MAHMOUD NAWAJAA, SAYING: "We welcome the announcement of Ben and Jerry's company of not renewing its agreement with the occupation and to prevent selling these products in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the settlements. This announcement is so important and came after years of pressure on the company to end its involvement in the (Israeli) violation of the international law and our Palestinian rights. Also it came in accordance to its internal policies to not be involved in the violation against human rights, as mentioned in their previous statements - for example, to not be involved in the violation against the Black people in the U.S.. We welcome this decision and we call the company to end all its procedures with the apartheid Israel." NAWAJAA SITTING
  • Embargoed: 2nd August 2021 20:20
  • Keywords: Ben and Jerry's Israel Palestinians settlements
  • Location: JERUSALEM / RAMALLAH, WEST BANK / LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City: JERUSALEM / RAMALLAH, WEST BANK / LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA003EMI9R9J
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: American ice-cream brand Ben & Jerry's on Monday (July 19) said it would stop marketing its products in the occupied Palestinian territories, bowing to Palestinian pressure campaigns and saying that selling there was "inconsistent" with company values.
    The South Burlington, Vermont-based company, which is owned by Britain's Unilever Plc, has come under pressure from pro-Palestinian groups over its business in Israel and Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which is handled through a licensee partner since 1987.
    Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that the decision was a "disgraceful capitulation to anti-Semitism".
    More than 440,000 Israeli settlers live uneasily among some 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank, land that Israel captured and occupied in a 1967 war but which Palestinians say is the heartland of a future state.
    Most countries consider Israeli settlements on Palestinian land to be illegal. Israel disputes this.
    On Monday, Ben & Jerry's said it would not renew its license agreement with its Israeli partner when it expires at the end of next year. It will, however, stay in Israel under a different arrangement, without sales in the Palestinian territories.
    Unilever, in a separate statement, said it remains "fully committed" to its presence in Israel. It said it has always recognized Ben & Jerry's right "to take decisions about its social mission".
    Ben & Jerry's operates a manufacturing facility and two scoop shops in Israel, which it describes on its website as being located "outside the occupied territories, just south of Tel Aviv."
    The Israeli boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) welcomed the move.
    Israel has said the BDS movement is motivated by a desire to paint Israel as illegitimate.
    Vermonters for Justice in Palestine said in a provisional statement the move still "fail(ed) to address the widespread anger at the actions of the Israeli government against Palestinian people who live in occupied territory" and that "Ben & Jerry's should completely disengage from Israel."
    Ben & Jerry's was acquired by Unilever in 2000 in a unique deal that allows it to operate with more autonomy than other subsidiaries.
    It is well known for its commitment to social justice that has recently included strongly supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, LGBTQ+ rights and electoral campaign finance reform.
    (Production: Roleen Tafakji, Ismael Khadder)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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