When Ben & Jerry’s, the iconic Vermont-based ice cream chain, announced on Monday they would stop selling their ice cream in east Jerusalem and Israeli West Bank settlements they kicked over a mid-summer cornets' nest.
Their decision prompted strong reactions from both politicians and the general public.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the decision as “morally wrong.” Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called the decision "antisemitic."
גלידות יש הרבה, מדינה - יש לנו רק אחת.בן אנד ג׳ריס החליטה למתג את עצמה כגלידה אנטי-ישראלית. זו החלטה שגויה מוסרית ואני מאמין שתתברר גם כשגויה עסקית. החרם על ישראל- דמוקרטיה מוקפת איי טרור - משקף אובדן דרך מוחלט. החרם לא עובד ולא יעבוד ונילחם בו בכל הכח.
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) July 19, 2021
Over 30 states in the United States have passed anti-BDS legislation in recent years. I plan on asking each of them to enforce these laws against Ben & Jerry's. They will not treat the State of Israel like this without a response.
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) July 19, 2021
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the company founders were both raised in Merrick, Long Island, attended Hebrew school and had their Bar Mitzvahs at the local Reform synagogue.
Rami, the owner of the store Rami’s Corner, explained that “I don’t like it. If someone doesn’t like Israel, we don’t need them. We give them money, but they don’t give us money”.
Uri, a minimarket employee, explained that “it’s a problem because Ben & Jerry are Jewish. But I’m not going to take (the ice cream) and throw it in the garbage. The whole thing is not good.”
Maayan, who shops in Jerusalem, but lives in a settlement, stated that “I know all about the Israeli factory. The whole thing isn’t clear. Maybe I’ll still buy it”.
Maayan is referring to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Be’er Tuviya, which employs hundreds of Israelis. The factory is identical to one in the US except that it follows Kashrut regulations.
Eytan, a Jerusalem local, explained that “It’s not surprising that these big companies are against settlements, but it doesn’t affect me so much. I don’t like (the decision), but what can you do”.
When pressed on whether he’ll continue to buy Ben & Jerry’s, he replied with a laugh, “Ya. I like it.”
Dorit, another shopper, feared that “it’s going to cause chaos in Israel. They’re connected to Unilever and they’re delivering so many products here. I won’t keep buying Ben & Jerry’s.”
Dorit’s comment reveals a larger conflict between Unilever and the Ben & Jerry’s board.
Unilever released a statement affirming their commitment to continue doing business in Israel. However, according to NBC this went against the wishes of Ben & Jerry’s.
Anuradha Mittal, chairman of the Ben & Jerry’s board, said of Unilever’s decision: ”They are trying to destroy the soul of the company. We want this company to be led by values and not be dictated by the parent company.”
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami called the decision “a principled and rational distinction between commercial transactions in the State of Israel & those in the territory it occupies”.
Jewish Voice for Peace, a left-wing US organization wrote on their Instagram “@benandjerrys’ decision to end sales on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank is a testament to the power of BDS organizing and growing public support for Palestinian freedom”.