New York, NY,… Dianne Lob, Chair, William Daroff, CEO, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Vice Chair, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement:
“We applaud Unilever for selling “Ben & Jerry’s Israel” to Avi Zinger, current licensee and CEO of Ben & Jerry’s Israel. Ben & Jerry’s Israel operated the first factory outside the United States as a lessee over 30 years ago. This sale comes 11 months after Ben & Jerry’s, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, announced it was not renewing its franchise and licensing agreement with Zinger, over his refusal to stop selling ice cream in the West Bank.
“We are encouraged by Unilever CEO Alan Jope’s letter to the Conference this morning, where he stated: ‘I would also like to make it exceptionally clear that Unilever rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any form of discrimination or intolerance. Antisemitism has no place in any society. We have never expressed any support for the BDS movement and have no intention of changing that position.’
“Now Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be able to eat Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, in addition to the many Unilever products sold in the region.
“This is a victory against discrimination and for dialogue and inclusion. It shows that allowing the BDS Movement to guide policy is not in the financial interest of corporations. We hope those considering boycotting Israel will follow the lead of Airbnb — and now Unilever — and reverse course.”
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